The Payaphyu centre is found in Taunggyi, capital of Shan State in Myanmar (formerly Burma). It was founded more than 30 years ago by Fratel Felice Tantardini of PIME. It is currently part of the diocese of Taunggyi, and it is managed by 8 sisters of Maria Bambina.
The structure currently houses 174 patients who have vastly differing diagnoses. There are people affected by mental illnesses (schizophrenia, senile dementia, psychiatric diseases), and people with physical defects and illnesses (blind, deaf, epileptic, polio, and disabled).
Given the scarcity of economic resources and physical spaces, cohabitation is forced. In addition to the sick, there are also many orphans, abandoned at the Church’s doorstep or in front of the doors of the Center of families that cannot or do not want to keep him/her with them, knowing that the sisters will do all they can to take care of him/her.
The Center is completely devoid of an infirmary and a staff with medical knowledge. They are lacking all types of drugs, even those that are the most necessary that can significantly improve the quality of life of patients who have more severe illnesses. They are also missing space and equipment, in addition to knowledge in order to carry out physiotherapy treatment and rehabilitation.
The sisters are currently taking training courses and Butterfly onlus foundation, together with the New Humanity-Focsiv association is currently committed to financing the realization of a new structure to be used for rehabilitation therapies for polio and external construction works.
It was recently carried out thanks to the help of some donors, among who are the company Saclà Bros A.S., a new building to house epileptic patients, a cafeteria, and more adequate hygienic services.
Beyond these “extraordinary” initiatives, there are also necessary financing for the ordinary management of the Center and to guarantee a life with dignity to all of the patients, from the biggest to the smallest to get up to the neediest. “