MAKOGAI LEPERS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 51, 28 August 1926, Page 9

MAKOGAI LEPERS

"LITTLE PEOPLE'S" GIFT

A PATHETIC LETTER.

The appeal made by Sir Maui Pomare for funds to assist in procuring urgent requirements necessary to alleviate the suffering and loneliness of the four hnndred leper's and the nursing sisters on the island of Makogai, was met by a ready rosponse from Mr. R; L. Ryan (of Hastings) and his pupils, assisted by friends, who with commendable charity arranged a euchre party and dance, which proved most successful. Sir Maui Pomare desires to acknowledge the receipt of £135 3s 6d from the committee, and to thank those concerned for the valuable assistitnee they have given. The.amount, together with other sums received, will be forwarded to the authorities at the leper station. Since March, Dean Rignault has received the sum of &5i 19s 2d, which has already been forwarded to the same authorities.

Some time ago children interested in the page of the New Zealand "Tablet," written for "Little People," contributed sums varying from 3d to 3s or 4s, which amounted to a little over £20. On receipt of this unique donation, one of the nursing sisters wrote the following pathetic letter in acknowledging the children's gift::—

Makogai, 17th July, 1926.

"My Dear Little People,— "You have been working very hard for our Iciest House and you have done very well. We are very grateful for the generosity of your little hearts, and I want to tell you something about Makogai. "Do you know that Makogai is & little island of the Fiji group in the Pacific where all tho .lepers of all the groups of the Pacific are coming for treatment. Amongst these poor lepers are little children; the youngest is two years old, and the others are of all ages up to twenty, just like you Little People but tho difference ia that the poor leper children are living in a hospital o?i an island where nobody can coma and see them, instead of being like you, living in their homo with their dear parents; and do you know why? It is because leprosy is a contagious, dreadful disease, and the law obliges the people suffering from it to be segregated for fear the disease would spread all over the country. "And you are healthy little children with rosy cheeks, and your little feet nre nicely protected by socks and shoes. The poor little lepers are suffering; their little faces are all swollen; somo have very bad eyes. Their little hands and feet nre swollen ami aching. Some have, through the disease, lost fingers and toes. Sometimos they suffer very much .with fever.

"I know that you all get lollies and cakes every day. The little lepers only get them about once a year, at Christmas time, when our friends from New Zealand and other parts of the world send us some for thejn. The little leper children never go to picture shows, never go to a fancy dress ball; they have but very few toys to play with, and when they are well enough they play under the trees' or on the beach. They haye never seen a motor-car, and, what is worse, they have not got their mammy to put them in bed at night with a kiss. Some of them might get better one day and go back to their home, but many will never see their parents again.,

"You will ask me who takes care of the children. The Sisters do, they try to be for them all they miss, and make them feel as happy as they can in spite of their disease. When the little girls are well enough they try to sew; they love little pieces of ribbon, etc. The boys try to make little boats, and they all havo school every day when they are feeling fit for it.

"I think that you will like to hear about these poor little children, and that often, when you have plenty of everything and feel very, happy you will think of the poor little lepers in the far island, and perhaps some would like to share their luxuries with thorn. If the little people of New Zealand have now and again a penny to spare for the little people of Makogai we shall be very thankful, and, as to give to the poor is to lend to God, you will be repaid one day; and tho prayers of the little lepers will surely obtain for you rich blessings from Heaven.—Your very grateful, Sr. Marie Suzanne, Mother of the Little People at Makogai."