Celebrating Leprosy Champions
Celebrating leprosy champions
All over the world, persons affected by leprosy are leading the way and overcoming stigma and discrimination to become champions.
![Patana does woodwork in his workshop](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS9622_TLMA-Thailand_1_of_141.fdd95642.fill-900x400-c75.jpg)
Leprosy Champions
![A women from India in bright yellow/green clothes speaks into a podium microphone](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/DSC_0727.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Maya Ranavare is one of four individuals to win the Wellesley Bailey Award in 2024. This is her story.
![A man from Bangladesh in a white hat and grey suit sits behind a microphone at a desk](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/MD_KAMAL_UDDIN.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Md. Kamal Uddin is one of four individuals to win the Wellesley Bailey Award in 2024. This is his story.
![A woman from DR Congo in a white shirt and pink trousers sits in a wicker chair](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS43782_20220503_DRC_Kinshasa.cc5850c7.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Sandra Dongo Botolo is one of four individuals to win the Wellesley Bailey Award in 2024. This is her story.
![A man from Myanmar in dark clothes stands on a balcony overlooking a road with palm trees](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/84505965_129327615241409_8233.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
U Soe Win is one of four individuals to win the Wellesley Bailey Award in 2024. This is his story.
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Kashi does not allow his childhood experience with leprosy to affect his patient care.
![](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS44274_TLM-TamilNadu-8663-sc.03f84650.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Ashok life is transformed after attending the Vocational Training Centre. After being hospitalised for leprosy, he is now providing for his family in a job that he loves.
![Suresh and Mangala pose together in front of a tree covered in red flowers](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/20220308_114430.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Because of leprosy, Suresh and Mangala both faced enormous challenges before they met each other. Now they are happily married, parents to three beautiful children, and they use their work to transform the lives of persons affected by leprosy in India.
![Shudeepta smiles at the camera](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS37929_RS12696_20170717_0904.845aa36b.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Both Shudeepta and her sister are now working in the garment industry, where they have been able to earn a good income thanks to TLM training
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Because of a leprosy diagnosis, Thresia experienced self-stigma and feared being teased at school. Now, she's back studying and ready to pursue her dreams.
![Sudha holds her infant grandson and gives him a kiss on the cheek](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS39891__DSC9919_copy.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Sudha experienced a lot of fear when she was diagnosed with leprosy, but she persevered and is now living a life of happiness.
![Kavinas with smiles at the camera with his younger brother, Hariskram](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS36241_RS12141_Ruth_Towell_R.a7543ce5.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Kavinas has faced big barriers to his education since he was diagnosed with leprosy, but he has persisted and still led the way in his class