In Ethiopia we are working in partnership with ENAPAL (Ethiopian National Association of Persons Affected by Leprosy) to support leprosy-affected individuals and their families.

• ENAPAL has over 15,000 members,most of whom are directly affected by leprosy. These members belong to 63 Associations located across 7 regions of Ethiopia.
• ENAPAL's vision is a stigma-free society without isolation or discrimination.
• ENAPAL's major goal is to integrate individuals and families affected by leprosy back into mainstream society.

With the support of our SEED Partners, we work with ENAPAL in four key areas:

• Helping them grow as an organisation so they can reach out to more leprosy-affected individuals, their families and their communities.
• Increasing community awareness of the causes and consequences of leprosy.
• Providing income generation opportunities for leprosy-affected individuals and their families.
• Supporting leprosy-affected communities through the provision of safe housing, clean water and sanitation.

The Leprosy Mission New Zealand has been partnering with ENAPAL for 12 years.

'This partnership, which has been benefiting thousands of persons affected by leprosy in Ethiopia, has transformed ENAPAL in to a well recognised grassroots membership association.' Excerpt from ENAPAL's magazine 'The Truth.'

Progress over the last 12 months

1. The Grain Mills

The Grain Mills project is providing a vital income source for leprosy-affected individuals and their families, and helping in the fight against stigma and discrimination.

The goal of the Grain Mills Project in Addis Ababa is to enable people affected by leprosy to support themselves by milling grains like wheat, barley, pepper and teff - the latter of which is used by the wider community to make injera, a type of bread that is eaten with every meal. The mills are owned and run entirely by the Addis Ababa Association (one of the 63 Associations).

We are pleased to report that the project is progressing well and is already generating much needed income for people and families affected by leprosy. A portion of the profits (and some funding from our SEED partners) has been used to build a bake house and shop, allowing local women affected by leprosy to generate their own income by baking and selling injera bread. Association members have also benefited from training in milling operation, finance and administration.

The project is successfully breaking down barriers between Association members and the wider community, as people from the local area are now buying their grains from the mills.  This has had a very positive effect on the members who are beginning to really believe in themselves and their own abilities.

2. Training for Members, Leaders and Staff

Our SEED Partners have also funded vital training for ENAPAL staff and their members. A total of 292 staff, self-help group leaders and members benefited from the training and now have the skills and knowledge they need to effectively run their groups and set up and run small businesses/income generating projects.

Topics covered included:

• Leading and managing self-help groups and small businesses.
• Business skills development.
• How to manage the revolving loan's service.
• Strategic planning to help them prepare for the future.

3. Empowering leprosy-affected people to stand up for their rights

Advocacy plays a vital role in the fight against stigma and discrimination, and is a core area of ENAPAL's work that our SEED Partners help fund. ENAPAL's most recent success has been the inclusion of a team of leprosy-affected people in the Paralympics - an amazing achievement that would not have been possible without your support.

To make it happen, ENAPAL arranged for local hospital doctors to visit government officials and advocate for the inclusion of leprosy-affected people in the games. The doctors also spoke to the sporting body organising the Paralympics, and to other groups competing in the event.

The team did extremely well, winning a number of trophies which are now proudly on display.  Their long-term vision is to compete internationally with leprosy-affected people from other countries.

4. Small Scale Income Generating Projects

In previous years, SEED donations funded a Revolving Loan Service Project in 6 communities across Addis Ababa. This project has continued to thrive with impressive outcomes for individuals and families affected by leprosy.

• More than 150 young people from extremely poor families have been able to attend university and secure jobs in both government and private institutions. The income from their jobs allows them to support themselves and their families, freeing them from the daily humiliation of begging on the streets for food and money.

• A further 420 leprosy-affected people have benefited from the loan scheme through the creation of 28 savings and loans groups (15 people in each group). Each group was given a loan of up to 11,000 Birr which was used to set up small scale income generating activities such as live-stock breeding and fattening, setting up small shops and selling solar stoves to bake injera bread.

Members voices....

'I am a beneficiary of the loan service funded by the Leprosy Mission New Zealand.  I very much appreciate this opportunity I have received. Previously I used to sell paper and shiro (bean flour), however I have expanded my trade and opened a shop. Previously I suffered from sitting idle but now I have used my profits to attend college and I am learning about the insurance business.  I am able to support my family from my income. Please give my kind appreciation to our national association and the Leprosy Mission New Zealand.'

Serto Magnet, Addis Ababa

'First of all, I would like to tell you that I feel proud of my association. I am grateful for the way it benefits member who have low incomes. I am a beneficiary of the loan service, which has brought great change to my family. I have renovated my old house, changing wooden doors and windows to metal and glass ones. I used the loan to renovate two houses and now I am earning 680 Birr (about $50 US) per month. I have repaid my loans, and am leading a better life thanks to the loans I received. I have much respect and faith in my association, please convey my respect and love.'

Alem Ayen, Addis Ababa

'As one member who has benefited from ENAPAL's activities, I can testify that the activities carried out by the members, including income generating activities, education and training, local service, and support  for aged persons affected by leprosy are very satisfactory. God bless you! Keep it up with strength, for your activities will bear fruit both for the community and yourselves. I also want to convey my appreciation to the domestic and foreign partner organisations that help you achieve your good work. Please continue in your efforts to eradicate leprosy.'

ENAPAL member, Addis Ababa

Looking to the future.....

With the continued support of our SEED Partners, the Leprosy Mission New Zealand will continue to fund ENAPAL as their work is making a significant impact in the lives of leprosy-affected people and their families.

Become a SEED Partner now