Michael Sheppard recently joined the team at the Leprosy Mission New Zealand as the Ethnic Communities Ambassador.

Michael, who is generously giving his time for free, is building relationships with individuals and groups from a variety of ethnic communities who are interested in supporting the Mission's work.

Michael has already recruited a team of dedicated volunteers from the Chinese community who exhibited at the Chinese New Year festival and has met with Lydia Wang from Chinese Television. He was officially invited to the Bangladeshi Festival earlier in the year in recognition of the Mission's work there, and recently arranged for the Hon Consul for Bangladesh, Mr. Artur Rahman, to visit the Leprosy Mission New Zealand office and meet Executive Director Brent Morgan.

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand has projects in India, Bangladesh, China, Nepal, Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea.  If you have a special connection with any of these countries and would like to support the Mission's work, you can contact Michael on 09 631 1807 or email him at mike.sheppard@leprosymission.org.nz. There are many different ways you can get involved from awareness raising or fundraising through to helping out in the Auckland office.

Above Image: Michael at the Chinese New Year Festival.

Left Image: Michael Sheppard, Executive Director Brent Morgan, Lydia Wang from Chinese Television, Samson (volunteer from the Chinese christian community).