News
Faces of the Fund: Interview with Thierry zen Ruffinen
The Order of Malta’s CIOMAL Foundation focuses on reducing the incidence of leprosy and supporting those physically afflicted and socially stigmatised by this ancient disease. We spoke to Thierry zen Ruffinen, President of CIOMAL, about this important work and their plans for the future. Read more on The Global Fund for Forgotten People website
68th World Leprosy Day
On World Leprosy Day, which was celebrated around the world on 29th January 2021, the CIOMAL Foundation of the Order of Malta was very pleased to initiate a new partnership with the Alliance Against Leprosy, an organisation active in the fight against Hansen’s disease in Brazil, a country that is particularly invested in reducing the […]
Cows to keep their head above water
Affected by leprosy and destitute, Lang Ol, Uch Chhim, Yei Mao, and so many others, find themselves in the twilight of their lives alone and without any support, often abandoned by their families. The CIOMAL Foundation seeks to help them retain their dignity. Lang Ol was found three years ago, crouched at the back of […]
Detecting New Cases of Leprosy to Curb the Disease
The CIOMAL Foundation has been active in the fight against leprosy in Cambodia for over 25 years. Its work is centered around the early detection of new leprosy cases so that those affected may be treated as soon as the first signs of the disease appear and thus avoid permanent scars. “The most horrible thing […]
Newlyweds Standing Up To Prejudice
Soknim and Vanthi both bear the scars of leprosy and decided to hold a beautiful wedding in order to be fully accepted by their community. On a beautiful but sweltering day in April, Soknim and Vanthi arrived at the Kien Khleang Rehabilitation Center in Phnom Penh. They came to invite the CIOMAL staff to their […]
Beauty Contestants Show No Fear or Blame In The Face of Leprosy
For the 66th World Leprosy Day, the CIOMAL Foundation organised an open house morning in Phnom Penh on 30th January. Two hundred visitors joined the event, including university students and professors, representatives of national and international org anisations, as well as about one hundred people affected by leprosy. Opened in 2000 on the island situated […]
Utility Vehicles To Fight Leprosy
All year round, CIOMAL’s teams travel the provinces of Cambodia to fight leprosy and help those affected and their families live decent lives. Robust sturdy vehicles are indispensable to their mission. For over 25 years, CIOMAL’s teams have crisscrossed Cambodia to be as close as possible to those affected by leprosy and their families, who […]
Yang Bunthoeun, a tenacious educator
A sufferer of leprosy,Yang Bunthoeun shares his story of overcoming the disease as well as poverty to find his calling, teaching the destitute. Already in his thirties, Yang Bunthoeun is now the director of a small primary school in a village in Kompong Speu, in Southern Cambodia. The hamlet was built in the 1980s […]
The Flames of First Love Sparked Anew
The Flames of First Love Sparked Anew They were parted for a long time but Nanh and Ban reunited 8 months ago after going through many hardships in life. Nanh was affected by leprosy, which has left her with stumps, while Ban was sent to war after the Khmer Rouge regime and lost a leg […]