An Australian Leprosy Champion – Highlights from a life of service and love

1965 Reassessing her future

After the heartbreaking loss of both parents by the time she was 25, Jeanette spent three years preparing her heart to serve overseas.

“My commitment to mission had grown in my heart since youth camp.”

1969 Jeanette arrives in Nepal

TAKE ACTION with a legacy of love!

Will you follow the lead of Dr Jeanette Hyland and leave a Gift in your Will to The Leprosy Mission Australia? Just tick the Gift in My Will box on the back page and send it back with your details. You’ll receive the easy guide How to include The Leprosy Mission Australia in my Will. know it was because of leprosy.

I remember one teenage girl – I think she might have been 15 or 16 – was brought to our hospital in Pokhara by her brother. They walked for two days to get there and, when she was diagnosed with leprosy, he abandoned her. She didn’t have leprosy very badly, but the stigma was so strong that her family wouldn’t accept her back. She couldn’t go back home. She couldn’t go anywhere.

At that time, I was running a very small program to train local people (mostly women) in basic nursing care of leprosy patients in the hospital. That girl became one of my early students. She went on to do her nursing training and there has since been reconciliation with her family who are now very supportive of her.

Jesus loves people affected by leprosy

When I imagine how Jesus might see people living with leprosy, I think of the words, “Come to me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I’ll give you rest.” He sees them as worthy as human beings. That’s also why I used to go out of my way to touch those with leprosy because they were shunned by their family and friends. Human touch to someone with leprosy means a lot.

The message of Jesus is love and acceptance and forgiveness and a new life. That’s part of The Leprosy Mission’s work as I see it and it’s why I have chosen to support this work with a Gift in my Will. I know The Leprosy Mission has integrity in the way gifts are used. Decisions are made seriously and prayerfully. So, I have confidence in recommending that you please consider joining me in leaving a gift in your own Will. It is a very worthwhile thing to do.

She began learning Nepali and working at a local hospital.

“I had recently completed a diploma in nursing education so I could be a nurse educator or tutor sister. I was ready to walk my new path... Each day is half work and half given to language study. Every day in the hospital we see dysentery, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, hepatitis, snake and rabid dog bites, besides all sorts of intestinal worm infestations.”

1976 New leprosy control program

Jeanette’s dedication led her to take a role in a brand-new control program. She was involved in the development of a new training centre and education program for other organisations (including The Leprosy Mission) working in the South Asian region. Her time in Nepal was underscored by the confidence of knowing she was exactly where God intended her to be.

“My major strength has been in knowing this is the place God has prepared for me, and in ‘belonging’… May the light and knowledge of the love of the Living God ‘shine’ from this place to more and more people!”

1993 Later life-changing contributions

Healing the crocodile hunter in Timor Leste… thanks to your kind and loving care

Felix Fernandez’s knack for hunting crocodiles with his spear has made him a local celebrity in Timor Leste. The 53-year-old (picturedaboveshowingoneof hisgreatestcatches) says he’s just doing what he can to help his community... because he doesn’t like the crocodiles attacking so many people.

1970 Leprosy teaching and training

As a hardworking nurse educator, Jeanette trained Nepali people affected by leprosy to serve and treat others suffering from the disease in their community.

“Teaching has really tired me out. I think it has been the mental strain of trying to think in Nepali all the time. When the classes were over all I seemed to be capable of doing was ‘flopping’ on the bed.”

After completing her PhD title A socio-cultural study of leprosy in Nepal, Jeanette returned as Director of the program she helped to set up. Over the years, she conducted leprosy workshops through many countries –such as Nepal – including training the trainers at Anandaban Hospital. She later served on The Leprosy Mission’s Australian National Council.

NOW Fruits of service

Imagine the lives reached and hearts touched over the course of her career of care… all made possible because of her faithful obedience to God’s call as a young girl in youth camp.

But one day after vanquishing another croc, Felix noticed his skin burning and swelling. He at first thought he was cursed because he had killed so many crocs. But his neighbour, a midwife, explained he had signs of leprosy.

With your caring support, Felix received urgent and early treatment at a Leprosy Mission clinic. Today he is healed, healthy and whole – the same hardworking family man his wife and four children have always relied on!

With over 110 years of Leprosy Mission supporters in Australia this may be the first time we've helped a crocodile hunter. But it just goes to show that leprosy doesn't discriminate. It can not only attack the weak – but the brave and the strong.