Damien House, Inc.
in honor of Sr. Annie Credidio, BVM

Guayaquil, Ecuador

Damien House (Fundación Padre Damián) was founded by Sister Annie Credidio, BVM, as a residential hospital in Guayaquil, Ecuador, to provide patient care for those living with Hansen’s disease, also known as leprosy. The foundation provides 24/7 care to approximately 30 inpatient residents and free medical services to more than 200 outpatients, many of whom live in extreme poverty. Damien House was also founded to eliminate the stigma associated with leprosy in Ecuador and across the world. Sr Annie restores dignity and imparts love, care and mercy to the patients she serves. She and her colleagues transformed the living conditions of the patients from one of neglect, abandonment, isolation, and unsanitary conditions to the opposite. Damien House is a place of joy and welcome, cleanliness, medical care, art, music, compassion, light and vitality. Sr. Annie’s indomitable work upholds the dignity of the human person and advocates for compassionate health care for all.