A volunteer working to eliminate the stigma associated with leprosy has decided to tie the knot with his bride-to-be on a remote island that is home to a leprosy recovery center. It is the first wedding held on the island, off south China's Guangdong Province, in 51 years.

The center was built in 1985, and all 44 people living there are in remission. However, because the disease can be highly disfiguring, they have chosen to live out their lives in seclusion, either because their families cannot accept their appearance, or because of residual symptoms.

After the wedding, the volunteer took his bride on a bicycle tour of the small island. All of the villagers attended the wedding ceremony. They even gave the couple a pair of gold rings purchased out of the meager allowance they receive from the government.

For years, the volunteers have been working to bring care and support to the island's lonely residents, and have developed an intimate bond with them. The bridegroom hopes the wedding will help the residents forget their suffering, if only for a short while.

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