Lets help those affected by Leprosy

Recently I was afforded the opportunity to travel to Nepal as a Leprosy Mission Youth Advocate. Over the period of our 10 day journey, we spent time learning how Leprosy has both medical and social consequences for those affected by this disease. Despite Leprosy being curable, many of those affected still experience social stigma and discrimination that reduces their ability to access support and gain employment. We were lucky enough to spend time at Anandaban hospital hearing the stories of the patients and the dedicated medical team and within local communities seeing how the Leprosy Mission is helping to fund low-cost housing projects, ways to find employment, as well as providing academic scholarships to young students.

Now that we're back, we have been challenged to help raise money for a bus that will enable the medical team at Anandaban Hospital to access and provide support to satellite clinics through the wider Nepal region. Given the state of the roads, any journey takes much longer than what a comparable journey in New Zealand would take. Many of the roads are unsealed dirt roads filled with pot holes and rocks. Consequently, within the Kathmandu region, a 16km may take over an hour, while in some of the more rural areas, a 20km journey may take around 9 hours. It is hoped that by funding a new bus, medical support and screening will become more available to those who are otherwise unable to access support networks.

Please help us to reach our goal of providing Anandaban Hospital with a new bus. This is but one step in achieving the eradication of Leprosy and improving the lives of those currently affected by Leprosy.