Home for 45 year old Dhani Ram

Despite having lost sight in both eyes, Dhani Ram roams confidently and freely around the gardens of The Leprosy Mission’s ‘Snehalaya’ Mercy Home. The home provides shelter, food and medical care to people with leprosy who have been rejected by their community. Dhani told us,

“Leprosy took my eyes, my nose collapsed and I had to leave my family and friends behind in Nepal. It totally shattered my world and all the hopes for my future were in ruins.

But now, the love and care I receive from the doctors, nurses and other staff here at Snehalaya have helped me build up my broken self-esteem. I’ve learnt to survive.”

& Dhani realised he had leprosy only four years after leaving school. There was little local knowledge about curing leprosy and, by the time he was referred to The Leprosy Mission hospital in Faizabad, his eyesight was beyond repair. At that time, the hospital had a residential home for people who could not live with their families or community and offered this as a home for Dhani.

Sadly, he will never be accepted back to his home in Nepal. The Leprosy Mission is working hard to tackle the stigma of leprosy. Thanks to the support of Leprosy Mission donors, people like Dhani, now 45 years old, who have nowhere else to go still have this one place.

People with leprosy are often rejected by their family and their community. But with the right treatment, support and care, people like Dhani can lead fulfilled lives. Please show you care by giving a gift today.