For Sita, the young Nepalese girl, leprosy has been a life-long companion. She was just 9 when she was first diagnosed with leprosy, but by that time the disease had already taken hold of her young body. Her hand was ulcerated and showed the tell-tale signs of clawed fingers. Sita lives with her parents and two brothers in Khun, up in the mountain region of Nepal.
It was her teacher at school who first noticed the signs of leprosy. Her family was notified of her condition and it was recommended that they bring her to The Leprosy Mission’s Anandaban Hospital for treatment.