nepal leprosy trust ireland

As part of the Village Alive Project, young and energetic women who were previously unemployed or earning only a negligible income through daily-wage agricultural labor in their villages expressed a strong interest in learning a sustainable vocation.
Responding to their enthusiasm, the project organized tailoring training, equipping participants with practical skills in cloth cutting and sewing. Through hands-on training, these women gained the confidence and technical expertise needed to start their own tailoring businesses within their communities.

Today, many of these women are successfully running tailoring services from their villages, generating a steady income and making meaningful contributions to their household expenses. Beyond improving their financial security, the training has enhanced their self-confidence, strengthened their independence, and created new opportunities for economic empowerment.
The Village Alive Project continues to support rural women by providing marketable skills that lead to sustainable livelihoods and stronger, more resilient communities.

This initiative is made possible through funding from the Irish Aid Civil Society Fund. We gratefully acknowledge Irish Aid’s support in empowering rural women with vocational skills, creating sustainable livelihood opportunities, and fostering resilient communities.

Bastipur, Lahan- VAP women group

At Nepal Leprosy Trust, women’s empowerment lies at the heart of sustainable community development. Across many of the communities we serve, women are not only caregivers and homemakers but also emerging leaders, decision-makers, and agents of change.
Through our programs, women are encouraged to come together, share their experiences, and build confidence in their abilities. Whether it is through education, livelihood support, or health awareness initiatives, these spaces foster learning, mutual support, and resilience. In many cases, women who once faced social stigma and exclusion are now actively participating in group discussions, managing small financial records, and contributing to household and community decisions.
The image above reflects a powerful moment—women gathered, engaged, and collaborating. It represents more than just a meeting; it highlights the importance of inclusion, trust, and shared growth. When women are given the opportunity to learn and lead, they not only transform their own lives but also uplift their families and communities.
Empowering women is not a one-time effort—it is a continuous journey of building confidence, creating opportunities, and breaking barriers. At Nepal Leprosy Trust, we remain committed to supporting this journey, ensuring that every woman has the chance to live with dignity, independence, and hope.

On December 17, 2024, a woman later identified as Anya Devi Mali was discovered in a critical condition in a dense jungle about five kilometers from Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital & Services Center. She was severely mentally distressed, covered in wounds, unable to walk, and barely able to speak. To those who found her, she appeared to be on the verge of death. Concerned villagers quickly alerted the police, who arranged her immediate transfer to Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital & Services Center for urgent care.

At Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital & Services Center, Anya Devi was admitted for treatment and received six months of free, dedicated inpatient care. The medical team provided not only essential treatment for her physical condition but also consistent compassion and support. Gradually, her wounds healed, her strength returned, and she regained the ability to stand and walk. As her condition improved, she was able to share a crucial detail—her son’s name—offering the first clue to her identity and past.
Even as her health stabilized, one question remained: where could she go after discharge? Determined to find an answer, Lalit Majhi from the hospital’s Socio-Economic Rehabilitation Department began tracing her background. On May 13, 2025, during a leadership training program at Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital & Services Center, he shared her story and displayed her photograph. In a remarkable turn of events, a participant recognized her and helped connect the team with her family in Sarlahi district.
With this breakthrough, Lalit Majhi traveled to her village and, with the support of the local ward chairperson, arranged an emotional reunion. After 25 years of being missing—long presumed dead by her family, who had even performed her last rites—Anya Devi was finally reunited with her son and loved ones.
She spent her final months living with her family, surrounded by care, dignity, and love, before peacefully passing away.
Anya Devi’s journey is a powerful testament to the life-changing impact of compassionate healthcare. At Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital & Services Center, stories like hers reflect a deep commitment to restoring not only health, but also hope, dignity, and human connection.

Community members came together to observe the 73rd World Leprosy Day through a meaningful awareness event. The message shared during the event was simple yet powerful: Leprosy is curable — stigma is the real disease!
While medical treatment can completely cure leprosy, misinformation and discrimination continue to affect the lives of those impacted. Events like these play an important role in breaking myths, promoting early diagnosis and treatment, and building a more compassionate and informed society.
Together, we can help end stigma and ensure dignity, respect, and health for all.

Kamal Shrestha at NLT Office, Nepal.

After years of dedicated service and exceptional leadership, Mr. Kamal Shrestha has announced his retirement.

During his tenure, Kamal has guided the Nepal Leprosy Trust, Nepal, through significant growth. His vision, integrity, and commitment to excellence have shaped the organisation’s culture and long-term success.

As Kamal begins this next chapter, we extend our heartfelt gratitude for his remarkable contributions and lasting impact. His legacy will continue to influence our mission and direction for years to come.

Nepali women making soap at the workshop in Dhankaul in an NLT income generation project

A 15-day Soap and Surf (Washing Powder) Making Training successfully concluded at Dhankaul, Sarlahi District. The training, organized for members of the Vulnerable and Affected Persons (VAP) Group, aimed to empower women through practical skill development and income-generating opportunities.

The training guided the participants through both theoretical sessions and extensive hands-on practice. Over the 15 days, participants learned every step of the process — from preparing raw materials to mixing ingredients, molding soap, and packaging the finished products.

The atmosphere throughout the training was filled with enthusiasm and curiosity as the women engaged actively in each session. For many, it was their first experience working with such materials, and by the end of the training, they had gained the confidence to produce both soap and washing powder independently using locally available resources.

Beyond technical skills, the training also fostered an entrepreneurial spirit among the participants. Many expressed their determination to continue soap and surf making as a small-scale business, seeing it as a sustainable way to support their families and strengthen their economic independence.
This initiative not only enhanced their livelihood skills but also helped build self-reliance and confidence among women in the community. The training stands as an inspiring example of how practical skill development can transform lives and empower communities from within.

Nepal was plunged into turmoil after the tragic “Gen Z Rebellion” protest in Kathmandu on September 8, where 22 young lives were lost. The violence sparked widespread destruction, yet we thank God no religious sites were harmed. Lets pray for peace and healing.
Our NLT-Kathmandu office closed briefly during the unrest, but our hospital in Lalgadh remained open—serving those in need despite low patient numbers. Now, as fragile peace returns, we’re seeing signs of restoration. Few Sunday’s back, the hospital welcomed 791 patients—our busiest day since the pandemic—reflecting the trust our community places in us.
We ask for your continued prayers for the nation’s recovery, wisdom for the new leadership, and progress on our project agreement with the SWC. We remember the more than 70 lives lost and pray for God’s comfort and peace for all who grieve. 🙏✨
#PrayForNepal #PeaceAndHealing

In Nepal, children growing up in communities affected by leprosy face challenges most of us can hardly imagine.
Even though leprosy is curable, the stigma may run deep. Their children may be treated unfairly — denied education, excluded from opportunities, and trapped in cycles of poverty and shame.
But together, we can change this.

Why Your Sponsorship Matters.
🎒 Education & Dignity
 – Your support ensures that children from leprosy-affected families can go to school, gain confidence, and dream beyond the limits of stigma.
💖 Breaking Barriers
 – By sponsoring a child, you’re not only giving them opportunities — you are also breaking the chains of discrimination and showing them that they are valued.

How Sponsorship Works:

– Thanks to your monthly gift of €23, the child will go to school.
– You’ll receive updates and stories showing how your kindness is transforming a life.
– Most importantly, you become a voice of love and acceptance in a world that too often rejects them.

Your Impact:
– Keep a child in school, safe from child labour.
– Replace shame with confidence.
– Help restore dignity to families that have been marginalised for generations.

Together, We Can Break the Stigma!
Leprosy is not just a medical condition — it’s a social burden that unfairly punishes children. With your sponsorship, you can ensure these children are not defined by the disease but by their potential.
👉 Be the reason a child from a leprosy-affected community smiles with hope.

🌸 When you sponsor a child, you don’t just change a life — you rewrite a future.