LEPROSY is a feared disease around the world. Because we are afraid of “catching” the disease, we avoid going to places where we might find people with leprosy. When we do come across them, we move as far away as possible and make sure we do not touch them. This deep fear of leprosy comes from our understanding that the disease is contagious but – leprosy is not spread with a single touch.
The fact that people with leprosy are confined to leprosy colonies makes us forget about their existence. Leprosy colonies are places that are located far from the areas we live in. These are rundown areas with no access to food, water, medicines, medical attention, education or employment opportunities. Because people are stuck in leprosy colonies, they have no chance to improve their lives.
In the leprosy colonies, people do not have access to the most important requirement – medicine. Without the medicine they need to treat their wounds and sores, their condition worsens and they suffer immense pain. Furthermore, due to the stigma against leprosy, the children born into the leprosy colonies cannot go to school or college, even if they do not have leprosy.
The denial of basic rights to people in leprosy colonies means the cycle of poverty and suffering continues and there is no way to improve their lives and build their futures. But NGOs across India are working right in the heart of leprosy colonies giving people with leprosy the nutritious food, clean water, medication, treatment, surgeries, education and employment opportunities they have been denied for so long.
World Leprosy Day is on January 30th when schools, colleges and NGOs worldwide shine the light on leprosy, the suffering of people, their needs, their challenges and what we can collectively do as a global society to ease their suffering, treat their disease and give them access to safe and secure livelihoods to enable people to live dignified lives. To achieve these objectives, NGOs play a large part.
Here are 5 NGOs you can support this World Leprosy Day:
The Leprosy Mission Trust India
The Leprosy Mission Trust India was founded in 1874 and is one of the oldest and largest leprosy NGOs to serve the needs of people with leprosy. Headquartered in New Delhi, The Leprosy Mission Trust India offers comprehensive medical care through a network of 15 hospitals in 9 states. Leprosy is manageable and can be cured if detected early. The hospitals provide multidrug therapy, ulcer care, surgeries for deformities, eye care, counseling and prevention methods. The NGO also conducts training programs to help those with leprosy get access to sustainable livelihoods. This World Leprosy Day, you can support The Leprosy Mission Trust India:
Help Leprosy Mission Trust India
Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre
Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre was founded in 1948 as a hospice to care for people who were sick and on their deathbeds. Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre is based in Uttarakhand and works across India to alleviate the suffering of people with leprosy through medical care and helps them access employment. Even though some of them are cured, most employers will not give them jobs due to the fear and stigma. Hence, they have no choice but to beg on the streets for enough to buy some food for their families. This World Leprosy Day, you can support Raphael Ryder Cheshire International Centre:
Atma Swabhiman
Atma Swabhiman is a unique NGO that was founded by a person who contracted leprosy when he was 17 and spent his childhood in leprosy colonies. Witnessing how people had no choice to feed themselves and their families, Sailendra decided to start an organization that would provide the needs of people with leprosy and advocate for their rights. The Jharkhand-based NGO provides food rations, emergency care, clothes, medical treatment for ulcers and wounds, education material for students, capacity building, livelihood support, self-help groups and personal support. This World Leprosy Day, you can support Atma Swabhiman:
Association for Leprosy Education Rehabilitation & Treatment India
Association for Leprosy Education Rehabilitation & Treatment India or ALERT India is a Mumbai-based NGO working toward the control and eradication of leprosy amongst underprivileged communities in both rural and urban India. The Mumbai-based NGO works to improve the health, education and livelihood options of people suffering from leprosy. Since 1978, ALERT India has established 250 leprosy referral centers, impacted 70,000 people and reached 18 million people with care and awareness about leprosy. This World Leprosy Day, you can support Association for Leprosy Education Rehabilitation & Treatment India:
Madurai Health And Leprosy Relief Centre
Madurai Health And Leprosy Relief Centre works toward the goal of eradicating leprosy throughout India through medical treatment, rehabilitation, employment assistance and awareness programs to educate their general public about leprosy and break the stigma against the disease. The organization was founded in 1991 and has since cured 1,000+ patients, provided microcellular rubber (MCR) footwear, performed free cataract eye surgeries and taught school children and community members about leprosy to dispel myths and fears people may have. This World Leprosy Day, you can support Madurai Health And Leprosy Relief Centre:
Help Madurai Health And Leprosy Relief
Lend your support on World Leprosy Day
This World Leprosy Day, we might have learned a little something about members of our communities who have contracted this disease and need support. While most of us might not be in the position to do this ourselves, we can support NGOs that are working in leprosy colonies to provide food, water, medical care, education and employment support to people who need it so much. This World Leprosy Day, you can help empower their lives.
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Shirley has been in the development sector for over 10 years and is passionate about making a change in the world around her, including adopting dogs and writing to make a difference.