At 14, Shanti had seen the effects of leprosy firsthand: her mother and oldest sister were diagnosed with the disease about five years ago. Shanti first noticed skin patches on her feet around that time, but she tried to ignore them. 

Then her grandfather got leprosy. He went to our partner, Lalgadh Leprosy Hospital, where he received the cure and learned how to care for his hands, feet and eyes at the self-care training center. When he returned, Shanti’s grandfather recognized the skin patches on Shanti’s feet, and urged her to visit Lalgadh.

At first Shanti was afraid because she waited years to get diagnosed. “When I found out I had leprosy, I was worried about what people might say and what might happen to me. I knew disability could happen.”

But thanks to your generous gifts, Shanti now has the multi-drug therapy to cure leprosy. And she has been working hard in Lalgadh’s self-care unit, learning the exercises and care methods that will keep her strong. She has some sensation loss on her feet but, thankfully, not the disability she feared.  

“I know I must continue this self-care all my life,” she says. “I’m looking forward to going back to school. One of my relatives knows I have leprosy, but none of my friends do. I don’t want them to find out.”

As Shanti finishes self-care training at Lalgadh and returns to school, please pray that she will be courageous and full of hope! 

Thankfully, your support has provided her with expert, loving treatment and care. This past year, your gifts have healed and empowered thousands of people like Shanti. Thank you for your deep compassion for people suffering from leprosy!

“I know I must continue this self-care all my life,” she says. “I’m looking forward to going back to school. One of my relatives knows I have leprosy, but none of my friends do. I don’t want them to find out.”