The Final Days of Alverno

Sebuah kisah tentang lika-liku perjuangan penderita kusta ketika mengalami keterasingan di hutan Gunung Sari, Singkawang.

SYNOPSIS

After decades of isolation from the outside world, the residents of Alverno face deep trauma and fear, haunted by memories of a world that once rejected and isolated them. For the leprosy patients who have spent nearly their entire lives in this place, Alverno is not just a home but their entire world. Here, they live in silence, waiting for their turn to face death, which for them is not a threat but a blessing.

As time passes, one by one, they leave this world. Death, for them, is not something to fear but a door to a better life, to the Heaven they have long awaited. They view death not as a tragic end but as an escape from the isolation they have endured throughout their lives. Everyday, Alverno grows quieter, with only a few residents remaining, sustaining the place with simple activities increasingly limited by age and physical condition.

The closure of Alverno marks the end of a long chapter in the history of a place that has been home and provided care for leprosy patients for several decades. With only a few residents left, the hospice will soon cease to operate after all its residents pass away. Alverno, once a symbol of both isolation and hope, will gradually fade into memory, taking with it the stories of those who lived and struggled within its walls. This closure represents more than the end of a facility; it marks the conclusion of a community’s journey.

Through quiet moments in Alverno, The Final Days of Alverno shows how leprosy patients perceive death as a natural transition, not something to be feared or hastened. They believe that a better life awaits them, and until that time comes, Alverno remains a small world where they can find peace in their remaining time.

I first learnt about leprosy as a graduation assignment. After diving deeper, I began to feel that I had to be involved in giving voice to the stories that had happened. Over time, I personally felt that their stories were something important.

When I got to know lepers, I was surprised by the number of sad stories and struggles they went through. They were not only battling a physical disease that ravaged their bodies, but also social stigma and discrimination that kept them isolated. Every story I heard brought me closer to their suffering and resilience.

With love and care, the sisters at Alverno Hospital help alleviate their suffering and give them new hope. I created this project to give a voice to those who have been marginalised and to show that even in their suffering, they still have the spirit of life and love. I want the world to know that behind this frightening disease, there are strong and loving human beings. Through this documentary film, I hope to open people’s eyes and change the way society views lepers.

With this project, I also hope to inspire others to care more and no longer look down on or scorn those with disabilities. I want this world to be a better place, where everyone, without exception, can live with dignity and be valued as human beings.