We are a volunteer led charity who work with local communities across Africa and Asia, empowering them to gain access to education, health care and sanitation. We help people on their own terms to lift themselves out of poverty, and live productive and healthy lives.

Most of us tend think of leprosy as a disease confined to the pages of ancient or medieval history.

Despite being declared leprosy-free in 2005, India still has an estimated that two million people living with the long-term effects of the disease. In 2019-20 some 114,451 new leprosy cases were detected in the country. Many of these cases were in children.

Its not just the physiological aspect of the disease that can be so damaging leprosy can also have harsh social consequence. People and their families are often banished from their communities adults may lose their livelihoods and children excluded from education.

Children are believed to be the most vulnerable group. Leprosy in children does not just affect their physical health: it can mean that from an early age, they become victims of prejudice and bullying, missing out on school, and shunned for their whole lives. The social and mental impacts of this disease has the potential to destroy their whole lives.

The good news is that Leprosy is curable.

To help fight this devastating disease DATUMs proposed healthcare project for 2023 is the renovation of the existing Sonepur Leprosy Care Centre in Odisha State, India.

DATUM is partnering LEPRA UK to ensure people affected by leprosy in Sonepur and the surrounding region in Odisha State can have access to good quality leprosy healthcare. LEPRA have been providing treatment and support to individuals and communities affected by this disease in India and Bangladesh for nearly 100 years.

The existing Sonepur Leprosy Care Centre serves a predominantly rural region where more than 28% of the population classified as poor.

It provides a whole range of patient leprosy services, including diagnostics, ulcer treatment, physiotherapy, and the supply of tailor-made footwear and disability aids. But, sadly it is in a very poor condition so much so that certain buildings can no longer be used. Urgent repairs that are needed to the buildings, along with upgrading the electrical systems, re- decoration, furnishing, and equipment.

We have targeted our initial fundraising at £10,000 to allow us to start the refurbishment and refit of the existing Care Centre early in 2023.

DATUM is pleased to confirm that thanks to several very generous donations over the last few months some £5,000 is already available to undertake this important work. DATUMs BIG CHRISTMAS APPEAL 2022 this year has a target of raising the remaining £5,000.

We hope that once again we can count on your generous donations for this important project.

Many sincere thanks for your continued support.