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
![Joaquina leans over a fence, smiling at the camera](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS38601_JOAQUINA_ALBIN_AGE_68.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Joaquina went from living on the margins to providing jobs for her community.
![Hawa sits outside her home with the goods she is selling](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS12200_RS10247_IMG_2254.04cad6f5.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Hawa regained her confidence after years of disability and discrimination and now runs a successful business outside her home.
![Nuhu sits in a chair, smiling and holding his fists up in celebration at completing a walk with his new prosthetic leg](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS37073_RS13971_Nuvu-14.897485f6.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Nuhu was ready to sacrifice his own health for his family. Thankfully, he didn't have to.
![](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS36085_RS12350_RuthTowell_RE.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Tharshika was diagnosed with leprosy as a child. Now an adult, Tharshika supports children affected by leprosy through her work with our partner in Sri Lanka, KKM.
![Manpati is a member of one of our self-help groups](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS37637_RS9620_Manpati_4_1.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Manpati has a hand in a few local businesses and recently ran for local office.
![Armando stands in front of fields in his farm](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS37829_RS9023_DFID_Mozambiqu.60e01748.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Armando uses the latest training and farming methods to develop crops even in difficult environments
![U Soe Win with Aung San Suu Kyi](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/U_Soe_Win_-_Picture_TcckPzy.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
U Soe Win went from the misery of feeling trapped in his home to speaking to leaders on the world stage at the United Nations' Disability Rights Conference in December 2020.
![](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/Lilibeth.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.png)
All through her life, Lilibeth's experience of leprosy has made life harder for her. That hasn't stopped her achieving her dream of becoming a barrister in her native Nigeria.
![Samir with his wife and daughters](https://leprosymissioninternational.contentfiles.net/media/images/RS8269_Bankura_VTC-153_1.2e16d0ba.fill-600x400-c100.jpg)
Samir has a wife and two children. He was diagnosed with leprosy at 16 and now he runs his own motorcycle business.