Having leprosy is hard enough, but what if the nearest hospital was over 440 miles from your home?

It sounds incredible, but that’s about the same distance that 14 year old Nargis had to travel to get help for leprosy. Of course, on Bangladesh’s poorly-maintained roads the journey took all day. Nargis’ mother could only go with her as far as Dhaka, so for the final 200 miles Nargis was on her own. Imagine how difficult the journey must have been for her - frightened, alone and in great discomfort, jolting along on a rickety bus.

Nargis finally arrived at The Leprosy Mission hospital in Nilphamari, which is where I met her in January this year.

                                                                              . . .more

Nargis looked so sad and lost that I wanted to give her a big hug, to comfort her as I would my own daughter. . .

THE LEPROSY MISSION’S RESPONSE TO CYCLONE NARGIS IN MYANMAR (BURMA)

The Leprosy Mission has joined with local disability groups in Myanmar to provide relief and rehabilitation to persons with disability affected by Cyclone Nargis.

People with disability are extremely vulnerable in disaster situations. 

They are frequently overlooked or marginalised in relief and

rehabilitation activities. The Leprosy Mission is running a special referral service in Nargis affected areas and raising awareness amongst relief organizations. This will ensure that disabled people have access to aid and rehabilitation, and the necessary support to rebuild their lives. Training and advocacy activities have been conducted and the referral service advertised.

The Rapid Response Team, is responding to the needs of disabled people affected by the cyclone, both in Yangon and Delta areas.

A team visited a village south of Yangon, where around 30 disabled people were assessed for relief and rehabilitation needs.  Together with the Myanmar Physically Handicapped Association, immediate assistance, such as food aid and appropriate mobility devices were given. Much more is needed, and the team has planned further visits to provide rehabilitation, including housing repair and adaptation, restoration of key community services and livelihood activities.

The Rapid Response Team is drawn from staff temporarily seconded from other Leprosy Mission projects and other specialist staff have also been appointed.  They include four physiotherapists, three occupational therapists, child development specialists, field co-ordinators, livelihood development co-ordinators, a project manager and a logistics manager.  They will be divided between the Yangon based Rapid Response Team, and three field based units which will be

established in affected areas in Yangon Division and the Delta. New staff are undergoing training and orientation at the Disability and Development Training Centre, a project operated by TLMI and a local partner. Full scale specialist operations are planned to start on 30 June.

If you would like to help, please click on the donate button on the left.

ELY DIOCESE LENT APPEAL

FOR THE LEPROSY MISSION

The Leprosy Mission was chosen by the Diocese of Ely for the focus of its 2008 Ely Lent Appeal.  Dr Anthony Russell, the Bishop of Ely, invited the diocese to use Lent as an opportunity to support our work at The Schieffelin Institute of Health in Karigiri, Tamil Nadu, India.

Thank you to Bishop Anthony and his staff who worked enthusiastically on the appeal, and to everyone in the diocese who worked so hard to raise over £16, 500.       

                                                        . . . more

GIFTS FOR LIFE

Buy a Gift for Life and help people affected by leprosy.

We have now launched our Gifts for Life online.  Gifts for Life are an alternative range of practical presents, perfect for any occasion. 

They keep giving:

• People affected by leprosy receive invaluable help, which makes a positive difference in their lives.
• Your family and friends receive an alternative gift.
• You have the joy of knowing you have helped leprosy-affected people back to wholeness.

The gifts range from medical treatment to social rehabilitation.  Thank you for standing alongside people with leprosy.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH OUR WORK . . .

Our spring 2008 issue of New Day is now published.  If you would like a copy and you are not already on our mailing list, please contact us. 

Alternatively you can download it.

Thank you for your interest and support. We value our supporters.

Back to top