By Yiep Joseph
At least 100 individuals diagnosed with leprosy in Juba County have received assistance from the Korean Civilian Mission.
The aid, delivered by the Mission, included non-food charitable items such as clothes, caps, and shoes.
Leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease (HD) or Hanseniasis, is a chronic infectious disease caused by the slow-growing bacteria Mycobacterium leprae or Mycobacterium lepromatosis. The disease primarily affects the skin, peripheral nerves, upper respiratory tract, and eyes. It is characterized by the formation of lesions, nerve damage, and muscle weakness. While historically feared and misunderstood, leprosy is now known to be treatable with antibiotics.
Although some parts of the world regard leprosy as a simple, treatable disease, reports indicate that some South Sudanese still isolate patients due to fear.
Joseph Wani, the representative of the people diagnosed with leprosy in Luri Rokwe, confirmed that some of their members had received help from the Korean Civilian Mission.
Wani added that the Korean Civilian Mission has consistently supported patients through its continuous assistance to both the leprosy center and the leprosy clinic.
He noted that providing clothes to the patients gives them hope that they can dress up and appear smart, just like those without the disease.
Expressing his happiness, Wani stated his appreciation for the Korean Mission and urged them to continue their support.
He also appealed to well-wishers to come forward and support the patients, emphasizing that there is still a significant gap in needs and numerous challenges.
On his part, Kee Choon Kim, head of the Korean Civilian Mission and Director of the Father John Lee Foundation, explained that providing clothing and footwear to 100 people diagnosed with leprosy in Luri Rokwe of Juba County is part of their ongoing assistance.
“As the Korean Civilian Mission, we distributed non-food charitable items in the form of clothes, caps, and shoes to 100 leprosy-affected people living in the Luri Rokwe area of Juba County,” said Kim. “Our work is to assist the vulnerable. Also, here in Luri Rokwe, physical therapy is being implemented as a pilot event prior to the official launch ceremony of physical therapy, which will be held in July this year.”
Hung Se Lim, a veteran football coach and director at the Korean Civilian Mission, stated that both the Korean Mission and the Father John Lee Foundation have been working closely with leprosy patients.
“As directors of both the Korean Mission and Fr. John Lee Foundation, we have implemented a one-day mission of humanitarian assistance for 100 leprosy patients living in the Luri Rokwe area,” said Lim.
Father Kee Choon Kim on Saturday conducted physical therapy in Luri Rokwe.
Coach Lim and Father Kim provided physical therapy to 20 seriously leprosy-affected individuals before moving to the leprosy center for the distribution of clothes alongside donations of medical adhesives.
Both the Korean Civilian Mission and the Father John Lee Foundation have been working with vulnerable people in South Sudan since 2010.
They have notably built and continue to operate a leprosy clinic for those affected by the disease.