"LEPERS—AND HOW TO HELP THEM."

Hokitika Guardian, 12 September 1917, Page 1

"LEPERS—AND HOW TO HELP THEM."

“There are at least 256,000 lepers in India, and a countless number in China, Japan, Korea and other countries of the East.” This was a statement made by trie Rev. Frank' Oldrieve last night, to an audience which well filled St. Andrew’s Mali. Mr. Oldrieve was ' lecturing about India and its lepers. Splendid lantern slides showed the beauties of India, its men and women, their work, the religious side oGtlieir life, and the. story of the poor outcast lepers was graphically, told. The leper is supposed to he cursed by his gods, and to be suffering the just punishment of sins committed In a former birth. Government forbids his being buried alive, as lie used to be, hut even to-day he, or she. is turned out of the. house and village, and lias to depend on alms for the necessities of life. Lepers suffer a givat deal of pain, and their fingers, hands, and feet rot off as the disease spreads. They are loathsome objects, and deserving, of help. On account of the war they arc suffering more than ever, as food prices are up, and in_addition to this the leper receives less .in alms.

The Mission to Lepers, which the lecturer represents, is working in fourteen different countries, and lias to do with more than 90 asylums, or homes, for lepers. Altogether the mission is practically responsible for the housing feeding, clothing and teaching of some 14,000 lepers. Tn the* homes are 1210 leper children, for whom there is no real hope of recovery, although by good housing, clothing and food the lepers’ sufferings may be greatly relieved. >.

The mission is international and interdenominational, and appeals to all. ’The government of India often gives the mission subsidies when it is erecting new buildings, and in a few cases gives grants for the up-keep. Nearly all the, homes are looked after by honorary superintendents, and thus the Mission Funds are most economically spent—little money being spent on European’ salaries. The people know that leprosy is not hereditary, and even it' both parents are leprous the children arc horn untainted: The mission has 22 homes for these children, where some 750 children are eared lor, given a good education and sent out to earn their own living when they are old enough. These children grow up'quite strong, and it is a very fine piece of work that the mission does ill saving so many children from this awlul. disease. £5 will pay for the support of an adult- leper for one year, and £4 will save a child from leprosy in a Home for Untainted Children. So the audience were assured that money given was well spent. The Rev. IF. B. Fraser presided, and a. hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Air Olderieve for his lecture, and to Air King for operating his lantern. A collection was' taken up in aid of the funds of the mission.