OUR MISSION

In its fight to eradicate leprosy, The Leprosy Mission New Zealand also has a very specific role in the global fight to help eradicate poverty. Currently, with around 20 projects based in Ethiopia, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, China, Timor Leste and Papua New Guinea, we are addressing not only leprosy as a disease, but also its sociologic affects in terms of disability, marginalisation and social exclusion. Our projects take a holistic approach by facilitating wider community involvement and addressing many poverty issues. For example savings and loans, health education, or water projects are improving the standard of living for those affected by leprosy as well as their families and communities.

To ensure our work effectively moves the poor towards a life out of poverty it is important to respond to the needs of individual communities so the people within them take charge of their own development. These needs may be addressed by projects such as capacity building, micro enterprise development, community based rehabilitation, community development, vocational training, advocacy, emergency relief. We want to see whole communities develop and flourish.