Sasakawa India Leprosy Foundation

People in the West tend to think of leprosy as an illness of the Middle Ages or further back in the past, but the reality is different. Leprosy still exists in certain parts of the world, and while it is curable with the right medication, social stigma against continues, even against those who have been cured. However, the Sasakawa-India Leprosy Foundation (SILF) is working to change that mindset in India.

SILF was launched in October 2007 with events in New Delhi and Mumbai. "We are seeking the cooperation and participation of all people. Help us as we eliminate an ancient scourge: the utterly needless discrimination surrounding leprosy," says Yohei Sasakawa, Chairman of The Nippon Foundation, which financially supports the initiatives of SILF. Those initiatives include 1) education, 2) micro-finance, 3) vocational training, and 4) creating awareness.

Education
A SILF priority is education of children from families affected by leprosy. When necessary, scholarships and financial aid will be provided to these children. Ensuring access to education is essential to lay the foundation on which the children of leprosy-affected households can build a better, more secure future. Often, children from families affected by leprosy are prevented from pursuing secondary and higher studies by the poor economic status of their families. SILF, with the help of NGOs and other partners, proposes to set up scholarships and loan opportunities for those who want to continue with their studies.

Micro-Finance
SILF recognizes that the stigma against people affected by leprosy is largely based on the fear of contagion. Therefore, job opportunities especially in the formal sector, are not easy to create right away. Nevertheless, SILF is working with business people and the corporate sector to persuade them to open their doors to those who come from leprosy backgrounds and have the necessary skills. It is also important to encourage opportunities for self-employment through micro-financing. This includes appropriate training and financial assistance. SILF will also act as a catalyst in formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) among the leprosy-affected. SHGs will independently identify feasible livelihood projects that meet local market demands. For this, the training required to operate the SHGs will be provided, and financial help to set up systems for oversight and self-monitoring of the groups will be made available.

Vocational training
Another SILF goal is to draw leprosy affected people away from begging. To do this, viable and alternate means of livelihood have to be generated. Thus, there is an urgent need to not only train the leprosy-affected in skills and vocations where there is a market demand, but also to work toward ensuring their productive employment. In order to do this, SILF plans to work with local employers, businesses and market experts to identify the areas where skill development and vocational training will lead to real job opportunities.

Creating Awareness
Social acceptance through skill building and financial assistance will not be sustainable or successful without the eradication of the social stigma against leprosy. Education, training and employment facilitate some social acceptance, but concerted efforts still need to be made to educate the public about the scientific facts of leprosy. This is necessary to eliminate the fear of contagion or ideas of divine retribution on which the stigma is based. Creating this educated awareness about the true nature of the disease is necessary among the general public. SILF plans to work with government departments, other NGO partners, the media, and the corporate sector to reduce and eliminate discrimination about leprosy.

Those involved with SILF know perfectly well that to overcome stigma requires a major change in the mindset of many people. This is a far more difficult task than providing skill training and funding. They know this will be a long journey ... but the journey of 10,000 leagues starts with the first step.