Sixteen years ago a local health worker noticed white patches on Johera's skin and advised her to visit the district hospital to see if she had leprosy. She followed his advice and upon visiting the hospital was diagnosed with leprosy and given a course of multi-drug therapy. She was cured of the disease, and because she caught it early was not left with any ongoing disabilities.

Sadly, Johera's husband died a few years later, leaving her to provide for their two children. She did the best she could, but it was tough to earn enough money and she struggled to support herself and her family. To make things worse, she was discriminated against in her village as it was known that she had once suffered from leprosy.

Then, Johera was given the opportunity to join a self-help group through the CAP Project. She received training on setting up and running a small business and participated in awareness raising and confidence building activities.  She was able to take a loan from the group and start a bangle business in her local village.  Her business did well and she was able to pay back the loan within six months.

Johera is now very happy with her life. Her situation has continued to improve and she is able to look after her family without worrying about where their next meal will come from. Her daughter is doing well thanks to an education scholarship provided by the CAP Project.  Her social life has also improved and she has developed good relationships with the other members of her self-help group.


"Now I believe that I can do more with my life," she says.