We know that we can prevent leprosy and minimise its impact by addressing extreme poverty. That's why community development is at the core of our work.

With the right kind of support and infrastructure, communities can lift themselves out of poverty and reduce the spread of leprosy at the same time. We help to raise the standard of living for the whole community by focusing on access to clean water, better sanitation, health education, vocational and skills training, education scholarships, and sustainable livelihoods.

Self-help groups are at the heart of many of our projects. Each group is made up of community members who are socially and economically excluded due to leprosy or disability. The groups are specifically designed to bring leprosy-affected people together so they can rebuild their confidence, re-integrate into their families and communities, and gain the skills and confidence they need to become socially and economically independent. 

We also help to establish savings and loans groups where people disadvantaged by leprosy, disabilities and poverty can come together to build up financial resources, with the end goal of setting up income generating activities. Enterprises that have proved successful include fattening cattle, keeping poultry, establishing fish farms, growing produce to sell at the market and setting up small shops.

The Grain Mills project in Ethiopia is providing a vital income source for leprosy-affected families.  The mills are owned and run entirely by people affected by leprosy, helping to break down barriers within the community.