either six months or one year of treatment to cure leprosy. ... specialises in treating people with leprosy and once he
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Leprosy Fast Facts Leprosy is a germ that has affected humans for thousands of years! The first sign of leprosy is a usually a discoloured patch on the skin.
Visit www.leprosymission.org.uk ‘Fun with Feet’ to watch the short film about how you can help children like Aboubacar and to download other resources including prayers, a poster and other information about leprosy.
It can cause muscle damage in hands, feet and the face. Left untreated, leprosy causes damage to hands and feet.
Leprosy damages our ability to feel things, as it attacks nerve endings in the hands and feet.
Young people like Aboubacar need your help
Every year over 25,000 children catch leprosy. There is a treatment, called multidrug therapy. It takes either six months or one year of treatment to cure leprosy. Leprosy in feet causes something called ‘foot drop’, which stops the foot from lifting up properly, so you drag your feet when you walk. E very two minutes someone hears that they have leprosy – that’s 720 people today!
About The Leprosy Mission England and Wales transformed. Because leprosy and poverty are closely For over 140 years, The Leprosy Mission has been blessed by the generous prayer and financial support linked, The Leprosy Mission provides healthcare, of thousands of people who want to change the access to schooling, skills training, small business lives of leprosy-affected people. They help The loans and low-cost housing. It also speaks up for the Mission to change people’s negative ideas about rights of people affected by leprosy and supports leprosy and make sure that people who have been them in being able to speak up for themselves. thrown out of their homes can join in again with their community. We are part of a global organisation that wants Nepal to see the end of leprosy and Niger Sudan help transform lives for leprosyNigeria South Ethiopia India Myanmar affected children and adults Sudan Bangladesh living in South East Asia and parts of Africa. Motivated by the love of Jesus to bring fullness of life, The Leprosy Mission has a vision to see leprosy defeated and lives
Mozambique
Asia
Africa
The Leprosy Mission England, Wales, the Channel Islands and the Isle of ManGoldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough PE2 5GZ Tel: 01733 370505
[email protected] www.leprosymission.org.uk The Leprosy Mission England and Wales Registered charity no.: 1050327 Registered company no.: 3140347
@leprosytalk
‘“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”’ Romans 10:15 (NIV)
Aboubacar’s story
How you can help The Leprosy Mission to change lives
Teenager Aboubacar lives in Nigeria and has been in and out of hospital for much of his young life. When he was four years old Aboubacar developed some strange patches on his skin. He also started experiencing pins and needles in his arms. His family had no idea what was wrong with him and took him to many doctors and even to a large hospital. Sadly the treatment the doctors gave him did not relieve the symptoms and eventually at the age of eight his mother took him to a hospital about an hour away from his home. The hospital, supported by The Leprosy Mission, specialises in treating people with leprosy and once he was correctly diagnosed he was finally given the treatment he needed.
Give One great way to support the work is to raise money. A small amount like £10 will buy a pair of sandals that will help protect a leprosy-affected persons’ feet from damage. If you fundraise with friends or in a group, such as the Cubs, Brownies or a church youth group, it’s a great team building opportunity and a fun way to create memories.
Unfortunately, because Aboubacar did not receive treatment early enough, he lost feeling in his hands and feet. This meant that if he stepped on a nail in bare feet or touched something hot, there was a high risk of damage to his fingers and toes and other parts of his body. Once a small cut on his foot became so badly infected that he needed to return to the hospital for several weeks because it took so long to heal. Aboubacar’s hands were also damaged by leprosy, curling into fists and limiting the use of his fingers so that he needed surgery to improve the movement in his hand. In Nigeria surgery is expensive and families like Aboubacar’s can’t afford to pay for this. Fortunately, because of the generous supporters of The Leprosy Mission, funds are available to enable people like young Aboubacar to be healed and live a full life, providing him with the corrective surgery he needed on his hand and allowing him to finish his education. Aboubacar really loves going to school! It’s hard to imagine how Aboubacar felt when his hands became useless or when his wounds did not heal or when there was a risk that he would be unable to continue with school. The sad fact is that many thousands of young people in poor, leprosy-affected areas of the world will face this awful challenge and are bullied because of the fear and stigma surrounding this disease.
Talk about young people like Aboubacar and leprosy Not many people realise that leprosy affects so many people around the world. Tell your friends and family about this disease and think about ways that you could help The Leprosy Mission cure and support those in need.
There are many ways you can raise money, here’s just a few ideas: “It’s hard to imagine how Aboubacar felt when his hands became useless or when his wounds did not heal or when there was a risk that he would be unable to continue with school.”
Dylan went barefoot* Young Dylan spent a weekend going barefoot to raise money for leprosy-affected people in Africa. He said, ‘Giving up things makes me remember how lucky I am. I had to walk slowly first but then it got easier. I was happy to tell people about leprosy. It made me feel closer to Jesus.’
* If you are planning any fundraising activities, please involve an adult in your preparation to ensure that you are safe and sensible.
Have a sponsored event:
A silence, or a bike ride/walk etc. The Leprosy Mission could send you sponsor forms if you let us know what you are planning to do or you can download forms from the website www.leprosymission.org.uk ‘Fun with Feet’
Crazy Sock or Crazy Shoe day?:
£5
will pay for bandages and ointment needed for ulcer care
Non uniform Day: If you think your school is not quite ready
£10
will buy a pair of protective sandals for a leprosy-affected child like Aboubacar
£24
will bring the cure to one leprosy affected person
£48
will bring the cure to cure two leprosy-affected people
Stand out for the day and raise awareness and funds by waring wacky socks or shoes to school.
for a Crazy Sock or Crazy Shoe Day, why not ask if you can organise a Non-Uniform Day?
Cake/Buns/Cookie bakes:
People always love home-made cakes and this is a great way to raise money. Get creative and see if you can make feet-shaped cakes and biscuits. Maybe your school or church group will let you promote your fundraising event. For more ideas and resources to support your fundraising visit the website – ‘Fun with Feet’ Be creative and let us know how it goes and we will send a thank you either to you or your group.
£80
will enable a young person like Aboubacar to attend skilled job training for two months
