MUZAFFARPUR, INDIA

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand is committed to staying focused on helping people with leprosy until the disease is fully eradicated. To do this, we need long term support from donors through the Leprosy Mission Global Partner’s Programme.

Please read more below about partnering with us, or click here now to send an email indicating your interest or questions. Automatic Payment Forms can be downloaded below.

What does Global Partners Muzaffarpur support?

Within the blocks of Musheri & Moraul in the Muzaffarpur district, 400,000 people live in an environment rife with malaria, TB, elephantiasis, dysentery, kala-azar, malnutrition - and leprosy. Within these blocks, approximately 22% of the population have been affected in some way by leprosy - roughly 90,000 people. As well as these alarming rates of disease, the Muzaffarpur is hopelessly poor - more than half the families living within the district must make do with less than NZ$1.50 per day, far less than is possible to maintain sufficient nutrition for a whole family.

Muzaffarpur Community Development Programme

The primary aim for the Leprosy Mission in eradicating leprosy in the Muzaffarpur district is to first alleviate the chronic poverty that gives rise to the disease. As a result, the best way to eliminate poverty within the region is to provide for clean water as well as improved sanitation. Bore Wells are often drilled to provide fresh water free of the bacteria, parasites and heavy metal poisons that are common within this area. The improved sanitation is achieved by constructing new toilet blocks to replace simple holes dug in the ground to serve as latrines.

Furthermore, the Muzaffarpur programme works with people who have already had leprosy and have been physically affected by it in some way. The programme supports people through broadening the leprosy detection and treatment programmes already underway, the corrective surgery facilities at the Muzaffarpur hospital, Women's Empowerment groups that teaches basic hygiene and sanitation, effective family planning methods, improved nutrition as well as addressing the fundamental health issues present in Muzaffarpur. On top of this, there are Micro-Enterprise and Savings schemes that aim to help the chronically poor save money and relieve the extreme poverty that they must live in.

How much do I pay?

You can pay however much you would like - the usual amount is a $30.00 donation per month, or $360.00 per year. However, we appreciate whatever support you can offer.

Click here to download a Credit Card / Bank Transfer Automatic Payment Form

Please note that these forms have to be sent into the Leprosy Mission at PO Box 10-227, Dominion Road, Auckland prior to your automatic payment being activated.