You are helping this bright spark jump start her career – thank you!

It was Nagajothi’s mother, Bakkyo, who was the first to be diagnosed with leprosy. It was only during one of Bakkyo’s hospital check-ups, that a consultant noticed a few symptoms of leprosy in Nagajothi too.

Nagajothi was only 14 years old. Her face was swollen, and she had painful rashes on her hands. Her parents had no idea that she had contracted leprosy too.

Their large family has been living in close quarters in India for many years. (Over 50% of all the leprosy cases in the world are in India.)

They live in a one-storey makeshift home of just two rooms. It makes do as a kitchen, living area and bedroom. The ‘house’ is in the village where Bakkyo grew up. They returned there after they couldn’t afford the rent elsewhere on her husband’s low-wage labourer income.

$335

Student

Accommodation & Food

12290

Support young students by giving the gift of food and accommodation. Away from their families, and not yet earning income, your gifts are vital so they can graduate.

Bakkyo hand rolls firecrackers to try and make ends meet. But it depends on how many she can make. Approximately 144 rolls means earning five rupees (less than 10 Australian cents). She works from 6am to 6pm every day. Thankfully, firecrackers are popular around their area. There are lots of shops that want to buy them for sale.

Bakkyo becomes emotional when talking about the pressures of trying to earn enough money. Nagajothi’s mental health has also declined due to the stigma and financial burden her illness has put on her family. Their family has experienced rejection from their wider family and community.

“I remember the behaviour of our relatives and neighbours changing and feeling very hopeless. I was very young and confused.” - Nagajothi

“I even have an uncle who won’t allow us to attend things. We’re not allowed to go. They separate themselves from us.”

GOOD NEWS! Now 18, Nagajothi sees a brighter future for herself. And it’s all thanks to people like you! Thanks to your support she is studying to be an electrician at The Leprosy Mission’s Vadathorasalur Vocational Training Centre (VTC).

“At first, I chose electrical training as it was a job in high demand here. But as I‘ve continued studying, I’ve started to like it more.

Once when I was visiting home, I fixed the lights and a few electrical sockets, and it made me so happy. My mother was also pleasantly surprised. She thinks I did a better job than if someone else had done it. She’s very proud of me.”

“I want to become a self-employed electrician. But I’m planning to get a government job first.”

She wants to help encourage other young people like her to get training, particularly young women, and others with leprosy too – to show them that this is possible.

Bakkya also becomes emotional when talking about how much more confident her daughter has become, the pride she has in her daughter now and how much brighter her future is; “Nagajothi has changed. She’s much more confident and happier. I now believe that she will get a good job... and build us a good home.”

Bakkya believes that the community around them will accept them again and not look reject them and look down on them anymore.

Thank you for giving your gifts of love to students affected by leprosy like Nagajothi.

Cure Package

12649