Mary Ho Thi Chau

Mary Ho Thi Chau was 22 years old. She was born in 1975. Her weight with crutches was 28 kg. She was a leper with half a right leg and no left leg which she lost it three years ago. Her hands were without five fingers and the other hand with five fingers but had never healed. She practiced using the sewing-machine seven months ago. She was able to tailor a costume for leprosy of Raglai ethnic minority of Ham Tan district and children of Ben San leprosy village. Below is an interview by priest Cosma Hoang Van Dat, SJ., and replies from Mary Chau(on 15 Oct. 1997).
1. Where were you born?
Father, I was born in Nghe An province. My village is far from city - more than one hundred km. My family is very poor. My parents are farmers. We always lacked rice for eating. We had to add cereals. We had to hard work but it was still not enough for eating.
2. When were you infected with leprosy?
Father, I was eleven years old. I then went into The leprosy hospital of Quynh Lap (Quynh Luu district, Nghe An province, North Vietnam).
3. ...with your oldest sister?
No! My sister Hong was infected with leprosy after me. She was afraid of leprosy. My sister didn’t like me coming home every year to visit my parents during Tet. She would immediately ask me leave the house. I was sad and cried much...
4. ...and then?
Three years later , she was inflected with leprosy and came into the leprosy hospital with me.
5. How have both of you been in the leprosy village of Ben San (Tan Uyen district, Binh Duong province, South Vietnam), so far?
Father, the initial time was extremely hard. At the Quynh Lap leprosy hospital, we were often hungry, and even there was no manioc bulb for eating., Hence, I decided to go to the South (Vietnam) hoping it’ll be easier to live in.
6. ... by airplane (!) ?
(Smile) I went to the South by train. I did not have any cent, and I had to beg on the train. I was 15 years old! After coming to Saigon (HCMC). I was a beggar for a few months along the streets. Then the police caught me and put me into the Ben San leprosy village.
7. What about your sister Hong?
About one year later, I escaped the Ben San village to return to Quynh Lap hospital and told my sister: “You have to follow me to go to the South at once!” The both of us begged on the train. Finally, we arrived at Ben San village. I was not disciplined by the authorities as I was still under 16 . The nuns from Sister of Charity of St. Vicente loved and protected me too.
8. Did you remember your parents?
Yes, I did! During the initial time in this village I missed them very much. Because of our leprosy, we did not visit them. Moreover our parents were poor, and they worked harder than us too.
9. Did you sometimes receive letters from you parents?
Yes, two times, I did. The first, mom told me that my father died four months ago. The second letter, mom informed me she married again but I did not know him.
10. Did you return to your home to see your mother ?
Yes, I did! I hoped to see her but I had no money. And ... till today, I do not have enough .... (Smile). my mom followed my stepfather and I do not know where they are!
11. Have you gone to school?
Yes, I have! I began to go to school when I was 7 years old. I had to stop learning when I was 9. I had to help grazing the buffalos, carrying grass, cooking... I am able to read the newspaper but slow. I can write but very bad, and ...incorrect too.
12. Is hard to use sewing-machine for you?
Yes, Father, it is very hard but I try to use it often. . Others learn to use the sewing-machine in one year. For me, I had to spend 2 years, even 3 years! Everyday, I keep saying my prayers hoping that God will help me!
13. Oh! Why did you become Catholic?
At the Ben San leprosy village, there were many people who are Catholics. My sister Hong is a Catholic. I felt that Sister loved me and this is the reason why I became a Catholic. Later, when I was studying catechism I learnt that God loves all lepers the same me.
14. Everybody said: you walk fast and smile always!
Someone who is healthy can walk in one step. I have to walk two steps as I am weak. I do not like someone to wait for me. I always smile because I know that many people love me. And others who see me happy will not feel sad. .

When we read this story, Mary Ho Thi Chau rested in peace in God’s hands a long time ago. All of us ask ourselves:
Did our parents love us?
Have we hands and feet ?
Have we ever been hungry?
Have we ever begged along the streets or on a train?
Have we ever got a disease?
Have we ever been despised by someone?
Have we gone to school?
....
Let us to say:
“Give thanks to the LORD,
who is good,
whose love endures forever.”
(Psalms 118.1)
Translated by Phaolo Nguyen Trung Thien
Corrected by Teacher Claret