Lepra News Winter 2023

Photography by Tom Bradley

Rajni Kant Singh

A step forward for Lepra

Dear Friends, it is my pleasure to introduce this special Giving ‘Shoesday’ edition of Lepra News.

Left untreated and without appropriate footwear, these ulcers can lead to long term damage, sometimes

We now display this model in our referral centre in Bihar, as a reminder of our person-centred approach to footwear.

We understand the importance of choice, as when people feel involved, they are more likely to adhere

DiMPLE - Digital measurement system

In our centenary year in 2024, we look forward to introducing new and innovative technologies, which have the potential to transform the design and production process. Through the integration of , we hope to be able to provide even more efficiently designed footwear which could provide a revolution in our care.

For decades, our amazing supporters in the UK have helped us develop life-changing footwear which has immeasurably improve the lives of tens vulnerable people to produce, we provide our footwear entirely for free to the people we support. So even a small donation can have a huge impact

On behalf of the people we support in Bihar and beyond, we hope you will continue to support our footwear projects, and help us turn Giving Tuesday Giving ‘Shoesday’.

We are also launching our match funding appeal on Giving Tuesday, meaning we can double the impact See the back page for

Please visit our website at www.lepra.org. uk/get-involved/giving-shoesday-2023 or scan the QR code below to watch about our footwear

On behalf of all of the people we support, thank you for your ongoing kindness!

My warmest regards,

Rajni

The end of a remarkable century

In October, key supporters, Trustees and Ambassadors were joined by Lepra’s Vice President, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, to commemorate Lepra’s approaching centenary in 2024.

The event at The Athenaeum Club in London, also saw the formal launch of the ‘New Face for Leprosy’ exhibition, with Professor Diana Lockwood and photographer Tom Bradley joining us to speak to guests about the progression of the project, and the reality of leprosy in India and Bangladesh.

‘A New Face for Leprosy’ seeks to challenge the myths and perception of leprosy. By showing people affected by leprosy experiencing normal life, working and having a family, the exhibition encourages people to see past the disease.

Tom explains:

Serious, life-altering disabilities often associated with leprosy can be lessened, or entirely avoided, with early detection and treatment. For Lepra, community education and engagement are key to controlling this ancient disease, and reducing the physical, social, economic and emotional impact of diagnosis.

Guests were also able to view historical items and recently digitised films from Lepra’s museum, which will soon be available to see as part of a digital exhibition launching on our website on World Leprosy Day 2024.

“I wanted to capture honest portraits… one of the foremost things was to photograph people as human beings before people affected by leprosy.

Even if someone has a disability as a result of leprosy, the photos don’t always show that. Sometimes the people photographed were diagnosed early and have absolutely no problems, which is a very important part of the story.”

The Duke of Gloucester rounded off the evening with a speech recognising the need for continued support for this vital cause:

“I hope in your next few years, you will find many people wanting to support you, because they understand the necessity of achieving your ambitions” .

‘A New Face for Leprosy’ will be touring across the UK throughout 2024, beginning at Westminster Cathedral from 12-26 January.

Visit www.lepra.org.uk/events to find out more.

Indramani Urang’s Real Life Story

51-year-old Indramani was first diagnosed with leprosy in her late teens.

Her parents took her to many doctors, but due to a lack of specialist training, none made the correct diagnosis.

At 17, Indramani developed an ulcer on her foot and attended a Lepra health centre where she was diagnosed with leprosy and began treatment.

Due to her late diagnosis, Indramani’s ulcer became infected resulting in a toe being amputated which causes her pain when walking.

Indramani married at 25 and has four children.

“I am proud of my family, they have stood beside me and helped me to be mentally strong.”

With the aim of challenging the long-held myths and misunderstandings of leprosy, the ‘New Face for Leprosy’ exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of real people affected by the disease.

Their stories detail the difficulties they have faced through diagnosis, treatment and recovery, but also celebrates their remarkable personal achievements in the face of unimaginable adversity.

To find out more about the exhibition, and our upcoming events, please visit:

www.lepra.org.uk/events

A Retrospective

As we move closer to our centenary in January 2024, we are creating a special historical project to mark the occasion.

Many people may not realise that at our UK headquarters in Colchester, we have a museum of artefacts, documents, films, photographs, and audio recordings which detail the history of the organisation.

Serving as a virtual time capsule of not only the development of our innovative treatments, services and overseas projects, but also a social history of our amazing supporters and fundraisers who have made our progress in the control of leprosy possible.

For Lepra’s centenary, we will be creating a digital version of our archives, which will be preserved for the years to come, and freely available to view.

As part of this digitisation process, we will be making every single copy of Lepra News available online, for free, from the very first issue in 1970

This back catalogue provides a fascinating treasure trove of discovery, and a unique perspective of our collective history. Detailing involvement from past celebrities, royals, a remarkable record of our many milestones, national awareness campaigns and fundraising appeals, which have played a vital contribution to our advancements over the years.

What is particularly notable, as you move through the decades, is of course how much has changed over this period, how technology has transformed the way we communicate our message. But what is perhaps even more surprising, is actually how little has changed

Since Lepra’s inception 100 years ago, there have been huge advances in medicine, healthcare and our understanding of leprosy. However, many of the social issues, myths and prejudices surrounding leprosy remain, which continue to hamper our ability to provide vital early detection and treatment.

For this reason, our centenary is an opportunity to launch our new strategy, which will help us meet the challenges of the years ahead, and achieve meaningful change for people affected by leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

The centenary website will launch in January where you will have assess to our ever growing digital archive. Scan the QR code to sign up to our centenary news updates or please visit: www.lepra.org.uk/events/centenary-information

An invite to our centenary service At Westminster Cathedral

A service dedicated to Lepra, will be given by Bishop Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton Diocese.

Although founded as a secular organisation, Lepra has received passionate support from people of faith throughout our history.

It is a cause which many in society have forgotten, but support from organisations of all faiths have helped us develop effective treatments and holistic support services for some of the world’s most vulnerable people.

We are honoured to have a special service dedicated to our centenary on 26 January at Westminster Cathedral (at 2.30pm).

The event will give thanks to all those who have supported this cause over the last 100 years. We hope you will be able to join us to mark the occasion.

There will also be an opportunity to view a selection of images from the ‘New Face for Leprosy’ photographic exhibition, which will be on display publicly for the first time.

If your place of worship would like to support Lepra in 2024, or to find out more about this event, please contact:

LauriceJ@lepra.org.uk

Or please visit www.lepra.org.uk/events

Congratulations to our School Competition Winners!

This year Lepra’s school competition encouraged educational settings to hold a fundraising talk and raise awareness about leprosy.

We have drawn the winners and are delighted to award School and Trinity High School with their prizes!

Bassaleg School won the Literacy book bundle prize, they have supported us for many years and their pupil council decided to support Lepra this year. A member of the pupil council said:

“We decided to help people with leprosy because we get the opportunity to help real people and spread awareness to others about this forgotten disease so others can help too.”

We were delighted to award Trinity High School with the prize of a £100 Amazon voucher. Mrs Heather McKillop Principal Teacher of Religious Education at Trinity

We began our partnership with Lepra back in 2016. Since then we have invited Lepra into our school to educate our pupils about the work of Lepra and we have been fundraising for them through our annual 5k run. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Lepra.”

huge thank you to all the schools that entered the competition and took part in a fundraising talk - we are so grateful for your commitment and support for Lepra!

£1 from you, we get two... Double your donation!

Launching on Giving Tuesday

committed donors who have pledged donations to our matched funding pot, we are once again running our ‘ appeal!

From Tuesday 28 November 2023 through to midnight on 31 March 2024, we can match your donation to Lepra. Donations can be given to Lepra in person, over the telephone, online, by cheque, or postal order.

With your help this winter, we can support twice as many people, and help them overcome the physical, social, emotional and financial impact of leprosy and lymphatic filariasis.

Last year your kindness and generosity helped us:

• Provide an incredible 19,591 pairs of customised footwear

• We reached a total of 2,437,979 people through health education and events related to leprosy and LF

• We trained 40,024 people in self-care within their own community

• 284 people affected by leprosy received reconstructive surgery to restore the movement and appearance of their hands and feet, reducing prejudice and rebuilding their self-esteem

• 11,424 people took part in meetings to advocate for their rights

• We supported 903 self-support groups

Lepra is a non-governmental organisation (NGO), and has been working to find and assist people affected by leprosy since 1924.

Since that time, Lepra has had two defining characteristics. Firstly, we are secular. A positive decision to favour no one and everyone. Secondly, we prioritise being evidence-led.

Leprosy is a communicable disease, caused by bacterium, which affects the skin and peripheral nerves

of people. It can result in severe disability, prejudice and even cause blindness. Leprosy and LF remain two of the least understood and most widely ignored diseases in the world. Millions of people are affected, with numbers continuing to rise. If left undiagnosed or untreated, leprosy and LF can cause life changing disabilities.

Leprosy can incubate in a human anywhere from 6 months to 20 years. As a result, it is often difficult to diagnose the disease until it has

already caused severe damage. Working in India and Bangladesh, we find, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate people with leprosy. Specialists diagnose leprosy using skin test patch anaesthesia, skin smears and non-invasive sensory investigation.

We also work tirelessly to fight the prejudice and discrimination they face in their daily lives.

Our vision is a world free from prejudice and disability due to leprosy.