KIT Blog

Thank you, Mira! You are such an inspiration to The Leprosy Mission South Australia team!

by The Leprosy Mission Support Team South Australia

Throughout 2020 and 2021 Casmira Rosario, known as Mira, studied for her Master’s degree at Flinders University in Adelaide. Mira blessed us all during that time. She expressed her gratitude for all that The Leprosy Mission supporters have done, ”even when you don’t know our country and our people”.

Mira has been such an inspiration to us all. She has carried her own disabilities with her from birth, but with determination she encouraged and challenged others to develop their own skills to the best of their abilities.

Don’t turn your back on wisdom,

for she will protect you.

Love her, and she will guard you.

—Proverbs 4:6

The Friendship Club ladies at Knightsbridge Baptist Church delighted in meeting Mira.

Through photos Mira introduced us to her husband Joel, and their young son and family. She also showed us The Leprosy Mission workers and some of the conditions in which Mira lives.

Joel works with The Leprosy Mission. He rides a motorbike through rough territory to visit and attend to the needs of people living with leprosy in remote areas. Joel uses his special sensitivity gained through coping with his own leprosy, treatment and surgery.

A trip to the Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, for a few days in November provided two further opportunities for Mira to share her story (one gathering pictured above). God blesses and sustains Mira and Joel. They use their skills and passion to improve the lives of the disadvantaged and marginalized in their home country of Timor Leste.

Mira’s gentle personality and determination to complete her studies were a delight. She encouraged all who met her in our small meetings and home visits.

Mira shared in the Presentation of the TLM Certificate of Appreciation presented to Anne Hughes. Anne’s father’s Trust has been a generous contributor to The Leprosy Mission ministry over many years. Mira was pleased to express her appreciation to Anne and her family.

Mira obtained her Masters Degree in Disability Management. She was anticipating her Graduation Ceremony from Flinders University in mid December. However, because of her father’s sudden ill health she flew home on December 15th. We hastily re-arranged her Graduation Luncheon. Mira hired the cap and gown and we celebrated with The Leprosy Mission representatives and others who had grown to love her. Photos in our garden and at Flinders Uni will long be treasured. Mira is one of the few women in Timor Leste to have completed a Masters Degree.

Pray with us as she settles into life at home in Timor Leste after so many experiences in South Australia.

Pray for determination to fulfill her vision for better outcomes for people with disability,

We thank God for enriching our lives as Mira shared with us here.

If you would like to show your compassion for people living with disabilities from leprosy in Timor-Leste consider a TLC by contacting FREECALL 1800 537 767 or go to:

https://www.leprosymission.org.au/projects#Timor-Leste

Want more of Mira? You can WATCH and LISTEN to Mira tell their story in her own words!

 

Before COVID, Joel was able to join Mira in Australia and take part in The Leprosy Mission Australia’s National Conference and International Partners Day together. Their presentation is a very heartfelt journey! 

You can watch a recording of their presentation by clicking the link below

https://vimeo.com/367178272

OR go to http://vimeo.com/tlmaustralia and scroll down to International Partners Day: Joel and Mira in the “Videos” tab.

Mira also shared with us a special message of thanks to The Leprosy Mission supporters in Australia:

“Thank you very much to supporters from Australia, for support our country Timor Leste, especially to people affected by leprosy.

We wish you all the best.

May Almighty God bless you with such a blessing, and happiness for you and your family.

 Thank you!”


The Leprosy Mission seeks to bring about transformation; breaking the chains of leprosy, empowering people to attain healing, dignity, and life in all its fullness.

We are targeting a Triple Zero Leprosy strategy — Zero Leprosy Transmission, Zero Leprosy Disability, and Zero Leprosy Discrimination. We are working hard with our international project partners, and international government organisations, to make leprosy transmission a thing of the past by 2035.

If you feel moved to make an impact today, click here and your gift will be graciously accepted and used where it is most needed.