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Welcome to the Nepal Leprosy Trust Website. |
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Nepal Leprosy Trust (Ireland) is a charity that works to empower people who have been affected by leprosy and other disadvantaged people in Nepal by offering holistic support without discrimination.
Ram Nandan's Story
Ram Nandan Mahara’s prosthetic leg spells it out to leprosy patients at Lalgadh Lep rosy Services Centre. 18 years ago he lost his left foot and calf to leprosy. Forced out of his community because of the stigma associated with the disease in Nepal, he ended up living in the jungle with bears and monkeys for company. His wife, who refused to divorce him despite the prejudice, brought him food every day. When he heard about the new Leprosy Services Centre at Lalgadh he walked miles to meet Eileen Lodge, the founder of Nepal Leprosy Trust. She sent him for treatment to Kathmandu, where he trained as a shoemaker. He now runs the footwear department at Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre.
Nepal is one of the few countries where leprosy remains a public health problem. Although relatively easy to cure, the bacterial disease can cause permanent damage to limbs, skin and eyes through nerve destruction and ulceration. The stigma surrounding leprosy in Nepal leaves many who have been cured ostracised from their communities and among the poorest of the poor.
Since 1972 Nepal Leprosy Trust has offered health care, social support and employment to help reintegrate people affected by leprosy back into the community.
Read on to find out more about the work of Nepal Leprosy Trust and how you can get involved.
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