Leprosy
Today more than three million people are disabled because of leprosy
Have you ever been rejected by your family, sacked from your job, or denied education because of an illness?
This is the daily reality for people affected by leprosy.
Because of stigma and misunderstandings surrounding this disease, many people are abandoned by their loved ones and thrown out of their communities. They lose their job, their chance to go to school, even the people closest to them. Leprosy takes everything.
India has the highest prevalence of leprosy in the world. Every year, more than 100,000 new cases are reported here.
Leprosy is a disease of poverty. Poor living conditions, dirty water and lack of nutritious food weaken the immune system and make it easy for the disease to develop.
Leprosy damages the nerves, causing disabled hands and feet, and even blindness. Without feeling in hands and feet, every day tasks like cooking food and walking to collect water become dangerous.
Burns to the hand from a hot pan and cuts on feet from walking long distances go unnoticed. These can quickly become infected and ulcerate, often leading to amputation.
Nerve damage also causes fingers to bend inwards, making it impossible to work or care for children. This only adds to the burden of poverty.
Today many people are severely disabled because of leprosy. They have no choice but to join a leprosy colony and beg to survive.
But all of this can be avoided if leprosy is found and treated quickly. Leprosy can be cured with a simple course of antibiotics called Multidrug therapy.
You can provide holistic support for communities affected by leprosy
With generous donations from people like you, we are able to work with families affected by leprosy in 45 colonies across Andhra Pradesh.
Our work here is vital because these people are unable to get medical treatment for complications caused by leprosy, such as ulcers, anywhere else. We run an ulcer ward, Namaste House, in one of the colonies. We also provide regular medical care through weekly visits from a nurse and a doctor.
We work to improve the living conditions that make people vulnerable to leprosy. Partnering with communities, we provide housing, clean water supplies, nutritious food, support through self-help groups, and health education to break down stigma.
For younger family members who are fit and healthy, we offer a small loan to set up a business, or the chance to learn new skills through vocational training.
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Wounds and ulcers are cleaned by a nurse to prevent infection that can lead to disability.
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Thanks to supporters like you, we have given out thousands of pairs of specially moulded rubber shoes that protect feet and allow people to keep working.
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Members of self-help groups learn how to care for their skin to prevent cuts and keep ulcers clean.
Change the life of someone affected by leprosy
You can provide vital medical care and support for communities today