The Leprosy Mission (TLM) is an international Christian development organisation that diagnoses, treats and offers specialist care, including reconstructive surgery, to leprosy patients. Its aim is to transform and empower the lives of people affected by leprosy.
Leprosy is a disease of poverty and as well as providing healthcare, TLM offers rehabilitation, education, vocational training, small business loans, housing and fresh water supplies and sanitation to tens of thousands of people each year. TLM provides a springboard to restored health, self-sufficiency and renewed hope. Its services are provided regardless of religion or ethnicity, promoting equality and social justice.
Stigma
Widely believed to be the world's oldest disease, leprosy is also one of the world's most stigmatised. A specialist approach is required to educate, encourage and empower people to stand up for their human rights. Age-old stigma surrounding leprosy sees entire families robbed of their job opportunities, education, marriage prospects and their dreams shattered.
Fears and misunderstandings surrounding leprosy, such as the disease being a curse for some alleged misdeed, are widespread. In turn they fuel a vicious circle that begins with those affected hiding the first suspect skin patches in order to avoid being shunned by their families and becoming a social outcast.
Three million disabled
Leprosy is a mildly-infectious disease caused by a bacillus called Mycobacterium leprae – a relative of the TB bacillus. It occurs where there is dirty water, bad nutrition and poor standards of living, meaning people's immune systems are not strong and they are unable to fight the disease.
World Health Organisation figures reveal there are around a quarter of a million new cases of leprosy diagnosed globally each year. Globally, there are more than three million people living with irreversible disabilities, including blindness, as a result of the late treatment of leprosy.
The Leprosy Mission England & Wales concentrates its efforts on 11 countries. It works closely with staff in these Asian and African nations to provide and evaluate a range of different projects that help transform the lives of leprosy-affected people. As a global charity, The Leprosy Mission works in around 30 leprosy-endemic countries.
Please would you pray for The Leprosy Mission's work? If you would like a copy of the annual prayer diary, ASK, please contact us.
Pray for The Leprosy Mission England and Wales's CREATE (CSOs (Civil Society Organisations) for Resource mobilisation, Advocacy, Training & Employment) project in four states in India (Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) which aims to challenge and address stigma and discrimination where people live by raising awareness of needs in local communities. Pray that the results of this will mean that neighbours will not reject and ill-treat those with/affected by leprosy. Pray also that mainstream employers will open up employment opportunities to people affected by leprosy, thus challenging discrimination. Give thanks for the project and pray that the leprosy-affected will be enabled to train for work and get jobs that will enable them to set up their own sustainable micro-businesses.
25 April 2016 is the anniversary of the devastating earthquakes in Nepal.
You can help to 'Rebuild Nepal' and transform lives for leprosy-affected people.
Hold a World Leprosy Day January – 25 April 2016
www.worldleprosysunday.org.uk
Picture: Narasannapeta Colony in Andhra Pradesh, helped by TLMEW's work in conjunction with Brighter Future.