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A Visit to Tichilesti - Europe’s final leprosy colony
In the South East of Romania there is a remote village on the Danube delta that hosts Europe’s final leprosy colony. It has been in existence since 1928 and in the past there were more than 180 patients who lived in poverty in the valley. However, now there are about 23 residents aged between 42 and 92 living in improved conditions in the colony. Some of them live in long pavilions in single rooms while others have built their own homes hidden among the hills and lime trees.
Leprosy is a disease which slowly eats the body leaving limbs withered and eyes missing but it does not attack the vital organs and people can live to old age. The disease can now be treated within two years but those living in Tichilesti did not receive this treatment until it was too late. Although they are no longer infectious the residents are scarred for life and have to manage without fingers and toes. Some are blind but they do not complain. They have lived through war, hunger and isolation. Some were taken from their parents as children and have lived there ever since.
Ioana, one of the residents, was eleven years old and infected with leprosy when she was taken to Tichilesti, and has lived in the colony since 1941. Ioana married a resident at the colony and gave birth to a daughter who went on to live a normal life outside and attended school in the city of Tulcea. She visits her mother regularly.
The residents had no idea where they were being taken when they arrived there. Since the fall of Communism in 1989 the hospital’s reputation and the patients’ lives have improved. The one thing that has remained is the support that the residents give to each other. Those who are fitter visit the weaker ones and take them food. The residents soon hear when visitors arrive and they come out to greet them, because it is rare that they see anyone from outside the colony.
There is no use for money because there are no shops to buy from. They simply need help because they may no longer be able to manage on their own. Despite the suffering of Tichilesti’s leprosy patients, life goes on as normal.
Roman Nedelcu a former patient, was born in 1944. He entered Tichilesti in 1957 infected with leprosy, and after being cured left in 1977. Roman almost immediately received the call of God to return to the colony to serve those with whom he had lived for 20 years, and was elected as pastor of the Baptist church that meets in the colony. Today through the leadership support ministry of SGA, Roman and his wife Vasilica are being funded in their ministry among these needy people.
It was our joy to meet Roman who introduced us to his son who is 22, and has recently married. He is a great help to his father as he assists those who are not able to get to the church on their own. The opportunity of fellowship with residents in the Baptist Church was not to be missed as they gathered together for a meeting. How we give thanks to God for such a blessed time of ministry.
Please pray as the Gospel is preached each week, that others will come to saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
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