Abu Zaabal has a big section for men and a smaller for women because generally less women get infected by leprosy. There are bigger and smaller sleeping wards, where every patient has his/her own bed and cupboard. Most rooms have a TV as well. Patients who lost their legs or parts of it get well fitting protheses and learn to live with them. Often it was impossible for me to differentiate.

Abu Zaabal's coffeeshop that is run by Radi, a cured leper, is highly frequented. Effective treatment for leprosy appeared in the late 1930s with the introduction of dapsone and its derivatives. However, leprosy bacilli resistant to dapsone gradually evolved and became widespread, and it was not until the introduction of Multi Drug therapy (MDT) in the early 1980s that the disease could be diagnosed and treated successfully.

In those old days lepers were brought in by police and were not allowed to leave for isolation was seen as the only treatment. It was a big open air prison. Circumstances back then were horrible with mice chewing away on lepers’ wounds while sleeping.

The colony ownes huge agricultural land that is used to grow mainly "tin shoka", cactus fruits, and some other fruits. But over the years the Egyptian government took more and more land away.

I was worried about taking photos while patients have their bandages changed. But unexpectedly I found a relaxed atmosphere. The guys were chatting with each other and even joking. It is part of their daily routine and they exchange news while a nurse cleans out their wounds.

Sister Laura is the only Egyptian nun at the colony and works here for five years as a nurse. Every morning she visits all women, gives injections, cleans wounds and consoles, laughs and jokes with the women.

About 120 women patients are living at Abu Zaabal, and about another 130 come here for treatment.

Everybody who is strong enough does washing, cleaning, cooking and helps those who aren’t. Life here is like in a big community, but somehow totally detached from the outside world.

Saneya (85) lives here for more than 50 years. Although she has deformed feet and hands she manages to walk around and prepare her own food. I had many funny conversations with here and couldn’t believe how lucid she is. She loves to sing, tease other younger patients and has a wicked houmor. She kept nagging me to bring along my boyfriend to check him out.

Around the wards are big gardens for patients to meet, spend time together and enjoy fresh air.

As one of Abu Zaabal’s biggest donors Caritas Egypt founded in 1982 a socio-medical centre in adjoining Abdel Moneim Riad village. In their preschool/kindergarden they serve about 120 children of lepers and ex-lepers. The children learn reading and writing and get one healthy meal including fresh milk.

As one of Abu Zaabal’s biggest donors Caritas Egypt founded in 1982 a socio-medical centre in adjoining Abdel Moneim Riad village. In their preschool/kindergarden they serve about 120 children of lepers and ex-lepers. The children learn reading and writing and get one healthy meal including fresh milk.

Dr Mona, the dermatologist of Abu Zaabal for more than 30 years comes three times a week to the Caritas Centre to treat children free of charge.

Sister Laura is the only Egyptian nun at the colony and works here for five years as a nurse. Every morning she visits all women, gives injections, cleans wounds and consoles, laughs and jokes with the women.

I was worried about taking photos while patients have their bandages changed. But unexpectedly I found a relaxed atmosphere. The guys were chatting with each other and even joking. It is part of their daily routine and they exchange news while a nurse cleans out their wounds.

In fact the hospital here is now better equipped and kept cleaner than many governmental hospitals in Egypt.

Sometimes the nurses are overtired from taking care of bad cases and surgeries.

Saneya (85) lives here for more than 50 years. Although she has deformed feet and hands she manages to walk around and prepare her own food. I had many funny conversations with here and couldn’t believe how lucid she is. She loves to sing, tease other younger patients and has a wicked houmor. She kept nagging me to bring along my boyfriend to check him out.

Warda (80) lives there for 35 years and loves to listen to soap operas and music on her radio.

During the past decade Abu Zaabal received a total make-over and became a friendly, peaceful place with all of the necessary facilities.

Sitting at the entrance of the colony is a favourite pastime, watching people come and go and smoking some cigarettes.

A small mosque is in the middle of the colony and is frequented a lot by everyone who can still walk. A priest is regularly visiting the Christian patients.

After helping in the clinic Ibrahim continues working in his little workshop where he fabricates special shoes for those who have deformations on their feet.

Six years ago Jehad, aka Manuela, a German woman who lives in Egypt for more than 20 years, turned the uncared of and full of rubbish grounds of Abu Zaabal into a paradise like garden. A team of 13-15 men, all cured patients, are helping to keep the garden clean and beautiful. They receive a small salary for their work. Most ex-lepers, especially if they have deformations can’t find jobs anymore.

Zeinab from Upper Egypt, is an ex-patient of Abu Zaabal where she met her husband. They settled down here, had three healthy children. Now Zeinab sells vegetables in the street in front of her house. Here she doesn’t have to fear from stigma and horrible comments.