If you were to ask someone who is affected by leprosy what life is like for them, no matter where in the world they are, it would not take long before they begin to share their story.
They would tell you of being rejected, excluded from their family or their community, of being ignored and discriminated against.
This is not a new problem; nor is it limited to leprosy. In Nigeria, The Leprosy Mission learned that some people with disabilities, who have experienced discrimination themselves, in turn have excluded people disabled by leprosy from their groups. In Ethiopia some leprosy-affected people said they prefer not to associate with people living with HIV/AIDS. Discriminating against people who are different, disabled or living with a particular disease or illness is a deeply-rooted problem in human society and relationships.

WHAT CAN THE LEPROSY MISSION DO?
Dealing with stigma is complicated but there are ways we can respond.
• At the individual level we can counsel and encourage people who are so emotionally scarred by their experience of rejection that they’ve lost belief in themselves, and can’t see any possibility of a valued future role in society • At the community level we can educate people – leaders, children, women – about the real truth of leprosy, to remove fear and bring people together
• At the regional and national level we can encourage the development of organisations specifi cally for leprosy-affected people, or lobby for their inclusion in groups set up for people with disabilities
• At the Government level we can encourage the repeal of discriminatory legislation and the focusing of sound policy on the needs of people with disabilities, including leprosy disabilities
We remind ourselves that we are all made in the image of God. In His eyes, each person affected by leprosy is someone of great worth, deeply loved. While we design campaigns and activities aimed to reach as many as possible, we also centre our attention on individuals within their communities. I have been so impressed as I have visited many of our fi eld centres this past year to see places where even small-scale projects, working with just a few people, have had a profound effect on society. Just as Jesus said in Matthew 5: we are to be the salt of the earth, the light of the world – the salt savours all the food it touches, and the light shines out for everyone’s benefi t. Wherever we go as His people within The Leprosy Mission, we’re carrying with us this good news of the possibility of life change, of real transformation for marginalised people. What a gift!