INTOUCH
Spring 2024
Celebrating 150 years!
Gillian meeting Kamal at Anandaban Hospital in Nepal, several weeks into his complex leprosy treatment.
Welcome
I’m delighted to welcome you to your Spring edition of inTouch!
As we commemorate 150 years of the Leprosy Mission, we are filled with
gratitude for the countless blessings that have transformed the lives of those affected by leprosy.
So much has changed over the past 15 decades. It is hard to believe that for more than half of our history, there was no cure for leprosy.
Yet, through your support, we have witnessed incredible progress in diagnostics and treatments. Millions have been cured, and many are living completely transformed lives today simply because you cared enough to help.
Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 12 speak of one body with many parts, united in Christ. This scripture beautifully represents the Leprosy Mission, where each part plays a vital role in our mission.
The Leprosy Mission NZ works in partnership across 10 locations delivering a diverse range of activities to reduce the impact of leprosy.
From contact tracing and providing cures to physiotherapy, surgery, ulcer and reaction treatment, counselling, advocacy, educational scholarships, income generation, preventative health, community empowerment, and research into reducing transmission - every effort contributes to our life-changing work.
I had the privilege of spending time with our team in Nepal and Papua New Guinea this year, meeting many people affected by leprosy in their homes and communities.
One young boy who touched my heart was Kamal from Nepal. Kamal, a charming little boy, his smiling face is well-known at the Mission’s Anandaban Hospital.
As a 8 year old boy, leprosy has already had a significant physical impact on his little body. Thankfully, he is now in the safe hands of doctors and nurses at Anandaban Hospital.
Because of the steadfast love and support of New Zealanders like you, I have confidence that Kamal will complete his treatment, that the risk of long-term disability will be reduced, and his future will be bright.
Every day, I thank God for your compassion for people affected by leprosy.
Together, we are turning tales of despair into ones of triumph.
God Bless,
Gillian Whitley Executive Director
Abeer Restored
Over the past year we have kept you updated with Abeer’s progress. He has been our Cure One ambassador. Thanks to the commitment and prayers from our wonderful Cure One supporters like you, Abeer’s life has been completely transformed.
When Abeer and his family received the devastating news that he had contracted leprosy, it felt like a heavy burden added to their struggles with severe poverty.
The delay in treatment meant that the disease had taken a toll on Abeer’s little body, with numb spots where the leprosy affected his nerves. Tragically, his fingers began to stiffen into the telltale rigid claws of advanced leprosy.
In addition to his advanced condition, Abeer faced the painful challenges of leprosy reaction. Despite the numbness in many parts of his body, he was still wracked with discomfort.
The months that followed were tough, as Abeer needed to return to the hospital each month to complete his multi-drug therapy—a crucial step toward healing.
Yet, Abeer’s father showed incredible love and dedication, carrying him on a bumpy 10-kilometer bike ride just to reach the road, followed by a long bus journey of over 100 kilometres to the Leprosy Mission’s Naini Hospital in Uttar Pradesh, India.
The financial burden of leprosy weighed heavily on Abeer’s family, but they persevered with faith.
Restored by you
We cannot express enough gratitude for your kindness and support over the past year!
By God’s grace, Abeer has been completely restored! He is now free from leprosy and has received expert care for his wounds, including necessary hand surgery and physiotherapy.
And here’s the most exciting news: Abeer is going to school!
Thanks to Cure One, his school fees are covered, and he even has a bike to ease his journey and save him from long hours of walking.
Abeer’s family could never have afforded this incredible journey of Cure, Care, and Restore on their own.
Your commitment has truly been a blessing in Abeer’s life, showing how love and support can make a profound difference.
As the Lord promises in Jeremiah 29:11,
“For I know the plans I have for
you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Thank you for partnering with us on this journey toward a future where no child suffers from leprosy by 2035, and for your unwavering support and prayers.
Together, we are making a lasting impact in the lives of children like Abeer.
His smile says it all!
Thank you for journeying with Abeer in the past year.
Your love and compassion ensure that Abeer can look forward to a future filled with joy and hope.
As your personal Cure One contact, Diane is here to help you as you Cure, Care and Restore someone living with leprosy,
Call Diane at (09) 631 1800 or 022 304 5154 or freephone 0800 862 897; alternatively email: diane.simpson@leprosymission.org.nz like Kamal.
Call or contact her with any questions or discuss various secure payment methods, or just to talk about how good it is to set people free from leprosy.
What a wonderful way to achieve a world without leprosy. One child at a time.
Kamal begins his Cure One Journey
In a quiet corner of the women’s leprosy ward at Anandaban Hospital in Nepal, a heartwrenching scene unfolds.
Eight-year-old Kamal sits with his head in his hands, his face obscured by painful patches and lumps. His eyes are swollen shut, and his airways are so inflamed that he can barely breathe through his nose. His tongue is sore and swollen, a painful reminder of his suffering.
Beside him sits his mother, Paru, a portrait of despair. At just 30, she carries the weight of her family’s struggles with grace and resilience. Her long black hair is pinned neatly, and her striking red dress contrasts sharply with the worry etched across her face. Paru is deeply concerned for her beloved son, whose leprosy has upended their lives.
A Life Shattered
Paru and her husband Rahul struggle to make ends meet. They live in a small, leaky mud hut with their five-year-old daughter, Munna, and Kamal. Their home was destroyed in the 2015 earthquake, and their current shelter offers little comfort or protection.
The Desperate Search for Answers
Kamal’s symptoms began four months ago, starting with small patches on his face.
Following local customs, Paru first sought help from a traditional healer, who cruelly told her that Kamal was cursed by the snake god.
This devastating diagnosis plunged the family into deeper despair. They made costly offerings and prayers, hoping to lift the
supposed curse. Kamal, at just eight years old, was bewildered and frightened by these strange rituals.
Rahul, who had battled leprosy himself three years earlier, recognised the urgency of Kamal’s situation. Now cured, Rahul insisted on taking Kamal and Paru on the five-hour journey over rough terrain to Anandaban Hospital, where he too had once received treatment. There, they learned the truth: Kamal’s illness was not a curse but a treatable disease.
Finding Hope and Healing
Upon arriving at Anandaban, Kamal’s condition was severe. He was suffering from leprosy reaction, a complication that exacerbates the disease. His little body harbored one of the highest levels of bacteria and infection the doctors had seen.
Kamal was immediately placed on a rigorous treatment regimen that included three different steroid medications and multi-drug therapy (MDT). The medical team also worked tirelessly to improve his critically low nutrition.
“I want Kamal to grow up and study, to have a good life. Maybe one day he’ll help others, just like the nurses here,” said Paru, her voice breaking. Cure, Care, Restore
There’s so much that can be achieved through Cure One. And together, we can make sure Kamal’s leprosy will not steal his future.
At Anandaban Hospital, Kamal found a team of dedicated healthcare professionals working tirelessly to provide him with loving care and treatment to heal his leprosy wounds.
Kamal can complete his full course of leprosy medication to cure his leprosy. He can have a chance for a healthy future where he can dream again of returning to school and playing with friends.
He can live a life free from the stigma and physical effects of leprosy.
Over the coming year, we will share his progress with you.
If you would like to become a Cure One supporter, please visit www.cureone.org.nz or phone Diane at (09) 631 1800 or email Diane.Simpson@leprosymission.org.nz
Kamal’s mother Paru caring for Kamal at Anandaban Hospital, Nepal.
Rose at a local shop choosing stationery for her new school year.
Rose’s Journey of Transformation
Rose is a remarkable young girl from Papua New Guinea whose story we first shared with you back in 2021. Her journey has been filled with challenges, but through God’s grace and the PHACE project you support through the NZ Aid Programme, she has found hope and healing.
In the past, Rose faced the deep wounds of leprosy. She poured her heart into a poem that captured the hurt and heartbreak of her experiences.
Because of her condition, she endured unimaginable abuse, rejection, and bullying. The physical pain and scars were difficult, but the teasing at school pierced her heart even more.
Education was her passion, a pathway to a brighter future, yet leprosy forced her to leave school and dim her dreams.
A New Chapter in 2024
Fast forward to 2024, and we have heartwarming news to share!
Recently, one of our village health volunteers visited Rose and discovered that she is doing exceptionally well. Rose is flourishing at school and is filled with joy.
Thanks to kind supporters like you, she received new stationery, shoes, socks, and a school bag. Rose is excited to start Grade 8, embracing this new chapter in her life!
Rose’s mother shared that Rose is growing healthily — her skirt is getting tight! This is a beautiful reminder of God’s provision and the blessings that are unfolding in their lives.
Rose comes from a family with a history of leprosy. For generations, leprosy has cast a shadow over their family, but instead of despair, they have chosen to turn their suffering into a ministry of love and support for others.
Rose’s uncle and cousin have taken on the role of village health volunteers, embodying the spirit of compassion.
Rose takes great pride in her cousin’s work: “She is helping people like me. She takes them to the hospital. She always encourages, comforts, and supports people with leprosy. She collects their MDT and makes sure they take their medication.”
Despite the teasing and the trials she has faced, Rose radiates grace and hope.
She is determined to spread the message that leprosy is not a curse but a treatable illness. “I want to tell people that leprosy is not sorcery. There is treatment!” she passionately shares.
Rose is still on her journey to recovery, as she needs to continue taking steroids to manage her leprosy reaction. This reaction occurred because she had a very high bacterial load in her young body. While she has made significant progress, ongoing treatment is essential to keep the disease at bay.
Your kindness and compassion have brought hope and healing into her life, shining a light in the darkness she once knew.
9
Together, we can continue to bring hope to those affected by leprosy, transforming lives and spreading God’s love. Thank you for being a beacon of light for Rose and many others like her!
Leprosy Mission 150 years Celebration
“If there was ever a Christ-like work in the world, it is to go amongst these poor sufferers...” Wellesley Bailey
2024 is a special year in the life of the Leprosy Mission – The Leprosy Mission is celebrating 150 years since we were founded in 1874 by Wellesley and Alice Bailey.
As we reflect on 150 years of the Leprosy Mission, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for the unwavering support and compassion that has fueled our journey.
From the small beginnings in 1874, founded on much prayer and a profound commitment to those suffering from leprosy, we have grown into a beacon of hope and transformation.
This milestone is a testament to the enduring power of love and care that have guided us every step of the way.
Thanks to you, millions of people have been cured of leprosy. Many are living completely transformed lives today simply because you cared enough to help.
In the past century, Leprosy Mission NZ has been at the forefront of the fight against leprosy. In partnership with other like-minded organisations, the introduction of multi-drug therapy (MDT) has revolutionised the fight against leprosy.
We have new diagnostic tests, innovative prevention tools, and leprosy medications that are in development. We have better ways to heal ulcers, world-class reconstructive
surgeons, and scientists who are exploring exciting new treatment options for leprosy reactions.
We could not have reached this huge milestone without God’s guidance and grace, and the faithful support from people like you.
The fight to end leprosy has never looked more hopeful.
We believe that, with the right investment, we can be the generation that ends leprosy, a disease that has haunted this world for more than 4,000 years.
We aim to end the transmission of leprosy by 2035. Over the decades to follow 2035, we are committed to caring for every person who will live with life-long disability and damaging discrimination because of a leprosy diagnosis.
All of this is possible because of you. Your unwavering support has been a beacon of hope, bringing us closer to ending leprosy and transforming countless lives along the way. Thank you for the crucial role you’ve played in this journey. Because of your compassion and commitment, we’re making strides that once seemed impossible.
Passing the Baton
In celebration of our 150th anniversary, we are honoured to carry forward the legacy of those who have paved the way before us. The ‘150 Baton’ has been travelling across the globe, symbolising our collective journey toward a world free from leprosy.
Barry Magee, the bronze medallist from the 1960 Rome Olympics, who shared his remarkable story of faith and perseverance, carried the baton with pride.
Barry reminded us, “It’s not how you start; it’s how you finish.”
Together, we’re changing the world for those who need it most.
Barry shared his incredible journey, recounting how God transformed him from an ordinary individual into a champion.
“I ran with God’s presence and power within me, and it was glorious!” Barry said with joy.
He added, “No medals can compare to God—the greatest prize of all.”
A heartfelt thank you to Barry for sharing his powerful story and wisdom, and for his unwavering support for those affected by leprosy!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to Barry for his inspiring support and for sharing his wisdom and faith with us.
His story, along with your unwavering commitment, fuels our mission and inspires us to press on toward our goal of No Child with Leprosy by 2035.
YOUR IMPACT IN 2023
Thanks to your ongoing support, the Leprosy Mission NZ remains committed to curing, caring for and restoring people affected by leprosy.
Thanks to supporters like you, we had an incredible financial year in 2023. You helped raise $6,256,907 last year.
We were able to meet all of our project commitments as well as provide extra funding for vital research and a new project in Timor Leste.
79.8% of the money expended was on our programmes.
That’s thousands of people affected by leprosy receiving MDT (multidrug therapy), hospital care, surgery, counselling, physiotherapy, vocational training, self-help group support and preventative health awareness.
5,425
people identified as close contacts of people diagnosed with leprosy and received one dose of rifampicin in NZ supported projects.
Village Health Volunteers were trained in Health Development in New Zealand supported projects. Thank you for the incredible change you’ve achieved!
Requests
975
new leprosy cases were diagnosed in NZ supported projects.
2,427
people received treatment of leprosy-related ophthalmological problems in NZ supported projects.
9,634
people received physiotherapy in NZ supported projects.
1,578
pairs of protective sandals were provided in NZ supported projects.
3,451
people in self-help groups in New Zealand supported projects.
1,538
A Journey of Hope and Miracles Rhema Team in Nepal
We are overjoyed to share the recent heartwarming experiences from Anandaban Hospital in Nepal, where we had the pleasure of welcoming Sela from Life FM and Di from Rhema.
Their visit provided a touching glimpse into the incredible impact our combined efforts are making in the lives of those affected by leprosy.
Sela and Di witnessed first-hand the positive impacts on the lives of people affected by leprosy, which were made possible because of the diligent medical team and the kind support from New Zealanders like you!
Their journey began with a dramatic twist: just before their arrival, a massive forest fire threatened to engulf the Anandaban Hospital campus. Miraculously, the fire shifted direction at the last moment, sparing the hospital.
It was also a joy to see the water pump, funded by our generous supporters in New
Zealand, play a pivotal role in helping control the blaze, showcasing the tangible difference your contributions make.
This experience was a powerful testament to the strength of prayer and the unwavering provision of our Lord.
During their visit, Sela and Di had the opportunity to connect with the dedicated staff at Anandaban Hospital and witness the transformative work they do every day. They were moved by the resilience and dedication of the team, who faced significant challenges while providing life-changing care.
On their second day, Sela and Di were all scrubbed up to watch a reconstructive surgery on a leprosy patient in an operating room. This crucial procedure offers leprosy patients a chance to reclaim their lives and return to a sense of normalcy and fulfilment.
Save the Date
Tune in on
RHEMA CURE ONE DAY
Thur 19 Sep 2024
We are thrilled to announce that Rhema Cure One Day is returning this year!
In partnership with Radio Rhema, Life FM, and Star and Shine TV, we are excited to share more stories of people affected by leprosy like Kamal, and spread the heartfelt message of No Child with Leprosy by 2035 nationwide.
Please join us in this special day of compassion and generosity. Tune in, pray for our efforts, and learn how you can help Cure, Care for, and Restore the life of someone affected by leprosy.
They also spent time in the ward meeting patients, including Kamal, who is now a Cure One ambassador.
“While it was hard to know that Kamal had leprosy it was so good to see him getting the right treatment and care. Honestly, I thank God for this little boy and pray for him and his family. Anandaban Hospital was absolutely the best place he could be to get well again,” Di rejoices.
Di and Sela are both parents themselves, and found it heart-wrenching to see children affected by such a debilitating illness, but they were overwhelmed by the unwavering positivity of everyone they met.
As a Dad, I pray not just for healing, but for Kamal’s dreams to find wings and for his strength to grow. No child should carry such heavy burdens and in that little boy’s eyes, I see a resilience that humbles me. Kamal, you’re in my prayers.” Sela says.
Together, we can achieve a world without leprosy and continue transforming lives with love and support!
Di and Sela met Kashi and listened to his remarkable story - from a boyhood devastated by leprosy to becoming a skilled staff member at Anandaban Hospital in Nepal.
Become a Cure One supporter today from just $20 a month
Kamal’s young body has been devastated by a deadly mix of leprosy and severe poverty. Leprosy has already inflicted lifelong harm - and now poverty is putting his chance for a cure at grave risk. Kamal’s family would not be able to afford the much-needed Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) and access to medical treatment to cure his leprosy.
Kamal is at the very first step of a year-long climb through Cure, Care and Restore. He cannot do this alone. He needs someone like you to say, “ Yes, I will Cure One like Kamal.”
Please join Cure One today and give someone like Kamal their year of the Lord’s favour. A time to heal. A year to set them free from leprosy.
Please scan QR code, call or email: 0800 862 873
leprosymission.org.nz/CureOne
