HEROIC WOMEN

Hokitika Guardian, 10 May 1930, Page 2

HEROIC WOMEN

NURSING THE LEPERS

HOLIDAY FROM MAKOGAI.

1 AUCKLAND, May" 7, <

; Yesterday there sailed from Auckland by the Aorangi two women whose courage enables them to live lives* 1 of self-sacrifice. Tliev are Sisters Suzanne and Theodore, of the- Leper -Station 1 on Makogai Island, not far from Levukav They have been on a holiday : to New Zeaiand--the first rest" that either has had for many 'long "years. ■ Neither woman would 1 sav miuih of 'the great work that is going on in the station, but both was unanimous in wishing the people of New Zealand well for the splendid response that each year greets the Christmas appeal for the. inmates of Makogai.

Nineteen years ago Australia, Fiji and New Zealand combined to use one island as a leper station, and it was then that the Rev Mother Marie Anges and Sister Suzanne volunteered for service. They have been there ever since.

In the beginning, the mere necessities of life were supplied by the combined Governments and of ordinary luxuries there were none at all. This was the case until six or seven years ago, 'when Dr Hughes, of the Health Department, visited the island. (Jn his return he painted such a picture to the people of New Zealand of the hopeless outlook of the lepers’ that fht community has never allowed the annual appeal to go unanswered. During the past two years some 150 inmates have been sent back to their homes. This has been largely due to i.,e discovery of chalmugral oil, the only known cure for leprosy. Thfe happiness of the people there is sliown by the fact that one party voluntarily returned for the Christmas festivities on the island.

Those wlio go to the island to help nurse the lepers give the whole of their lives for them. There is no return and. when they land first on the island, they, leave behind them everything which the world deems, worthyhaving. Neither of the two who ; returned yesterday ever thought that it /would, hrpossjhle to have a holiday away from I Heir island home.. A