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

If you would like to read some Chinese Resources, check out the HANDA website  and the Hong Kong Leprosy Association website. 

HANDA -Rehabilitation and Welfare Association came in to being to provide much needed support to hundreds of leprosy-affected people living in Southern China who receive limited assistance from the government.

Governed by leprosy-affected people, for leprosy-affected people, their vision is a world without stigma and discrimination. They fight for equal rights and justice for people, families and communities who have received medical treatment for their leprosy but are still affected by disability and ongoing discrimination. They also provide ongoing medical support such as the provision of prosthetic limbs and protective devices, and support for ulcer self-care.

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

The following are the projects we work on with HANDA:

• Psychosocial Empowerment Project- Providing psychological and social support to individuals and families experiencing stigma and discrimination.

• Eyesight Saving Project- Providing life-changing eye surgery to people living in isolated leprosy-affected villages.

Become a Families 4 Families Partner and help support our work in China.