Religious support

In addition to the missionaries who have been visiting island colonies in southeast China since the 1940s, other religious groups from overseas, plus volunteers and charity groups, have also provided assistance and care to lepers in colonies around the country.

Yu Bin, 81, sitting in his ward. [Photos by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

Li Yida, 43, a Singaporean Chinese, has devoted her time to caring for lepers since early 2010. During the past two years, she has traveled to many leper colonies in the provinces of Yunnan, Jiangxi and Guangdong and met many people from religious groups.

In 2003, Li married for the second time. Her husband is a Singaporean Christian, and a year after the marriage Li, who grew up in Hebei province, also converted to Christianity. "The Bible says we should help those who live in poor conditions and struggle to survive. Taking care of lepers is challenging work that many people refuse to do," she said.

American Leprosy Missions run projects in Guizhou province, and a South Korean organization also funds several colonies.

However, donations have started to dry up during recent decades because the number of lepers in China has declined sharply in the past 50 years. That has led to attention shifting to other developing countries, especially in Africa, where the problem is still acute.

Tang Yue, Jiang Xueqin and Zhang Yuchen contributed to this story.

Contact the writer at yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn

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Hu Shu, 86, enjoys a traditional Guangdong dance. [Photos by Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

Leprosy patients Hu Shu, 85, (left) and Huang Xilao, 81, enjoy a light moment while undergoing treatment in a hospital in Guangdong province. [Feng Yongbin / China Daily]

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