AIMING FOR REDUNDANCY
The ultimate success story for The Leprosy Mission (TLM) will be to become redundant! Unlike some other diseases which plague our world, leprosy can be cured by cheap and readily available drugs, and TLM is committed to eradicating it, but it is a daunting task. Poor or non-existent roads in many places mean that TLM cannot easily reach remote areas to diagnose those suffering from Leprosy and once diagnosed the patients find it equally difficult to reach clinics, hospitals and rehabilitation centres. The stigma attached to leprosy is still powerful, widespread and destructive.

Delayed treatment may mean a cured patient suffers a permanent disability. TLM is, however, helping men and women affected by leprosy to develop skills to enable them to re-enter normal community life. It all starts with a loan for capital investments, training to help them succeed, and a large dose of encouragement. A small loan - the mere equivalent of £25, £50 or £75 - can help them successfully start a business. They may open a small teashop; purchase a rickshaw; buy seeds, a sewing machine or a few chickens - the opportunities are diverse. When the loan money is paid back, another person benefits with a new loan. (Remember the goats?)

Below is part of a letter dated November 2004.

Dear Friend
How much courage does a young child need to live with the horrid stigma of leprosy? Saupiah's story is a heart wrenching account of the painful stigma a child experienced just because she had leprosy. Saupiah started school when she was seven years old. When other children grasped a pencil in their hands, Saupiah had trouble getting a grip on hers. Her fingers were stiff and rigid, forming a claw. Thick patches appeared on her cheeks. She knew she was different from other children. But nothing could prepare for the hateful taunting.

Children laughed at her and chanted "Kusta! Kusta!" which meant "Leper! Leper!"

For six long months Saupiah endured their taunting. Then her mother, broken-hearted by the treatment her daughter was receiving at school and afraid for her safety, took Saupiah out of school.

The fear of leprosy is very, very real. The stigma of leprosy meants that a young girl may never go to school, work or marry. Sadly the stigma was so great that it took three years before Saupiah's parents brought her to the leprosy hospital in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. When Saupiah arrived, the staff quickly identified the leprosy as the cause of her disabilities. They started treatment immediately. The leprosy was fully cured, but it was too late to stop the severe damage leprosy had done to Saupiah's hands and feet. She will live with the disabilities for the rest of her life. If only TLM could have met Saupiah sooner.

Leprosy can be cured. £120 will provide the care and treatment for one patient.

TLM is a Christian organisation and its message has not changed. It continues to bring the Good News to men and women who come into its care. As the TLM staff care for patients they share through actions and words the Good News of Jesus Christ. Through their work, people like Saupiah receive the love and support they need to reintegrate themselves into their communities.

Please support TLM, our Charity of the Month for January. Give, pray (there is a prayer diary up in the church) and come and enjoy yourself at the Barn Dance on January 8th.

Valerie Baxter

January 2005

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