Myanmar Catholic diocese of Myitkyina inaugurated a new building for female drug addicts on January 12. The diocese had established Rebirth Rehabilitation Center (RRC) in response to the drug addiction epidemic in Kachin State in 2015. With the new wing, the diocese hopes to serve female clients.
Sister Theresa Ja Nan, Sisters of Our Lady of La Sallete and the Coordinator of RRC, told RVA News that the Center sought to offer a place where addicts could come and get sobriety and recovery.
“In the beginning, there was little understanding of the nature of drug addiction. However, with time the staff became educated that addiction is a disease, not a moral failing,” said Sister Ja Nan.
Sister Ja Nan explained the need to understand the cycle and nature of addiction, recognize and admit that addiction is a disease that needs treatments, and accept their powerlessness over drug/alcohol addiction.
The La Sallete Sister continues saying, “The goal of our Rebirth Rehabilitation Center (RRC) is to be able to continue a journey as a person who has given up drugs and alcohol, to live a quality life, and together with family members return into society to be free of drug and alcohol use that’s why those who are drug addicts can be treated regardless of race or ethnicity.”
The Sister explained, “We can accommodate up to 60 Male clients. At the moment, we have 32 staff and volunteers.”
RRC offers two programs. “New Client Program” is an initial 3-month program of recovery and “After Client Program” is meant for those who got recovery according to the nun.
The Columban Missionary Father Eamon Anthony Sheridan, who is in charge and a spiritual director of RRC, told RVA News about his experience on the language barrier in doing missions in Myanmar, particularly in the Diocese of Myitkyina located in Kachin State.
“I have been a priest for 33 years and have worked mostly in Taiwan and Hong Kong. Unfortunately, I came to live in Myitkyina when I was 58 years old,” said the priest missionary.
He added, “It is very difficult at that age to pick up a new language with any fluency. I have tried to learn Kachin. I can now understand and speak some. But when I teach in the Center I depend on translation. This is sometimes frustrating, but I have discovered again that God can use even a broken vessel.”
The Columban described that in RRC, they treat the addicted person with respect and Love. They offer a program that deals with the three-fold nature of addiction: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual. They provide a safe and loving environment where recovering addicts can explore the nature of their disease and embrace a recovery program if they so desire.
“Getting recovery from addiction can be a slow process sometimes with repeated relapses. We never give up on anyone. Eventually, they will get the message. We now have a growing number of people with long-term sobriety,” explained the Columban priest.
An Aftercare Client also said, “RRC is a good place. Outside nobody trusts us and doesn’t respect us, but here we feel welcome and trusted.”
According to the client, in RRC, they learn how to live life on life’s terms. The schedule helps them have a good routine. The 12-step program and other inputs have helped them change their attitude.
“Until now, I am trying for recovery, and for me, RRC is the best place to do that. The staff is welcoming and kind.”
Father Eamon Sheridan, a Columban priest missionary whose Kachin name is Lazing Naw Awng, has been a chaplain in RRC since 2017. He lives in the center with the clients.
“I am passionate about helping suffering addicts get recovery. I introduced the center and our clients to the 12 step programs of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous,” said Father Lazing Naw Awng.
According to him, the 12-step program is a spiritual program aimed at helping the addicted person to embrace a new way of living. It has helped millions of people around the world to recover from addiction.
As most of the clients are Kachin Catholics, he celebrates Mass every morning and offers Confession every Sunday.
“As part of our program, we also have silent adoration for a short time two evenings a week. I also try to meet with the clients individually,” said the missionary priest.
Myitkyina is the Capital City of Kachin State and is known as the Kachin people's territory. The majority in Kachin State speak the Kachin-Jinghpaw language.
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