The Leprosy Mission New Zealand works in China in partnership with the local grassroots leprosy organisation HANDA .

HANDA - a rehabilitation and welfare association - was founded in 1996 by people affected by leprosy and envisions a world without stigma and discrimination for all of its sufferers. They also advocate for equal rights and justice, and strive to improve the public understanding of the disease.

But despite the increased awareness and knowledge about leprosy, thousands of people in China still live in remote leprosy villages where they were sent for isolation many years ago under old Chinese law.  HANDA has an holistic approach. It focusses on those who are already cured but who still suffer stigma or disability and fall through the government sphere of assistance.

1. Capacity Building

2. Psychosocial Empowerment Project

3. Eyesight Saving Project

1. Capacity Building

HANDA has four branch offices in Guangdong, Guangxi, Sichuan and Yunnan.

The capacity building project is designed to tackle the challenges of the rapidly growing programmes.  Capacity building seeks to improve the effectiveness of project management and implementation, so the organisation can be sustained and developed long term.

Since it began in 2008, HANDA 's capacity for governance has greatly improved. Various training and experience-sharing sessions have given HANDA staff a better understanding of project management, and improved communication among them. 

In 2008 more emphasis was placed on increasing work in partnership with the Chinese government, and to this end officials were invited to take part in project activities.

HANDA also took part in some government-initiated activities. Through this mutual effort the government became more aware of HANDA 's work, which helped the needs of leprosy sufferers to be better understood. All these achievements paved the way for the smooth development of publications, mass media, advocacy activities and close cooperation with other NGOs.  HANDA 's accountability and credibility has also been enhanced.

The China SEED Project Report section of this website has more specific information about this project.

Funding assisted by:

 SEED Partners        
 NZAID KOHA programme    

To Make a donation towards The Leprosy Mission Work in China: Donate Now     

2. Psychosocial Empowerment Project

People affected by leprosy in Southern China continue to be excluded from mainstream society and denied access to many public services.

This has resulted in a deep lack of confidence for many of them. Neither the government nor the general public pays much attention to this small group of people. This stems from a long history of misunderstanding and false messages about leprosy.

Many of the people have lived in isolated villages, separated from the local community for most of their lives. Many have lost contact with their families. There is almost no information about government services and their rights of access to these services.

 
HANDA strives daily to ensure these people receive the care they need, have their basic human rights respected and feel they have a voice.

They do this through:

• Public health education to raise awareness of leprosy
• Providing opportunities for people in the isolated villages to take part in social activities within and beyond the village
• Establishing a communications and exchange platform to encourage villagers to share experiences with and help one another.
• Motivating and organising volunteers to visit the villages to promote education and thus reduce stigma.
• Networking with other volunteer groups and NGOs to advocate for the rights of people affected by leprosy, thus facilitating their re-integration into society.
• Motivating the local community to help with the special needs of the elderly.

The China SEED Project Report section of this website has more specific information about this project.

Funding assisted by:

  SEED Partners       
  NZAID KOHA programme     

To Make a donation towards The Leprosy Mission Work in China: Donate Now     

3. Eyesight Saving Project

Discrimination and misunderstanding in China mean it's often hard to receive help from the public health system, especially for those living in the remote leprosy villages where HANDA focuses most of its work.  Leprosy can cause eyelids to stop functioning, resulting in cataracts and other eye damage, and without treatment blindness often results. This can make life even harder, especially for those who received a cure too late to avoid permanent disability.

The HANDA Eyesight Saving Project and Mobile Eye Team have been running since 2001. A team of four travels to the isolated leprosy villages where they perform life-changing eye surgery and offer eye care advice.

The China SEED Project Report section of this website has more specific information about this project.

Funding assisted by:

 SEED Partners

General Donations 

To Make a donation towards The Leprosy Mission Work in China: Donate Now