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We are working with the Indian government to build houses in the leprosy colonies in Odisha. For every £2,500 you gave for a new family home, the Indian government gave £1,500. Match grants for the first 15 homes have already been secured and the foundations have been laid. Your kindness means people who desperately need a safe place to live will have a beautiful new home.

For women like Gubari, this is nothing short of a dream come true. Born to parents with leprosy, she has endured unimaginable heartache as a result. Growing up in poverty, Gubari was never able to go to school. Her father died after his foot ulcers, caused by leprosy, became severely infected. Gubari did everything she could around the home to support her mother who is disabled by leprosy. But at 12, the feared discoloured skin patches of leprosy began to appear on her arms. As you can imagine, Gubari

was terrified. She had seen her father die and her mother struggle with disability because of leprosy. What would this disease now do to her?

Her uncle took her to hospital and Gubari had treatment for six months. Even though she was cured, he refused to let Gubari back in the house when she returned. This was just the start of a campaign of hate against both her and her mum. Everyone in the community turned against them. Gubari wasn’t allowed to draw water at the village well, and she couldn’t go to festival celebrations. Eventually, they were forced out of the village and lived in a makeshift shelter under the trees for almost a year.

One day as they were begging, a man from a nearby leprosy colony asked them if they’d like to visit his village. He was kind and over time, he and Gubari decided to get married. They had two daughters together, but their happiness was short-lived. Chronic infected ulcers, followed by complications after an amputation were too much for his weak body to survive. It was like history repeating itself for Gubari.

Gubari walks five kilometres on disabled and ulcerated feet to beg in the nearest town. Her home in the leprosy colony is little more than a pile of crumbling concrete. Water pours through the asbestos roof during monsoon, and the ceiling is on the verge of collapse. Gubari fears it may fall on them while they sleep. Snakes and rats are regular visitors, and mosquitos are constant companions.

But not for much longer! Your love for people in the leprosy colonies means Gubari and her daughters will soon have the home they deserve. A place of refuge and safety. Thank you so much.