The Leprosy Mission is an international Christian development organisation that diagnoses, treats and offers holistic care to people affected by leprosy. Our aim is to transform lives and fight the effects of leprosy - from preventable disability to poverty and discrimination.

Leprosy is a disease often considered confined to Biblical times. But did you know there are almost a quarter of a million new leprosy cases diagnosed each year? Even though there is a cure for leprosy, for every person treated there are a hidden 20 needing the cure.

Leprosy hides in remote villages like Namatua, where Zaina lives in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique’s most northern province. There are no doctors in Namatua, and medical care is scarce.  Leprosy is shrouded by fear and misunderstanding, which means people with the
disease face extreme discrimination.

For too long, leprosy has disrupted and disabled lives. It has separated loved ones and torn families apart. But through the power of unconditional love, life in Mozambique, is changing.

The Leprosy Mission is raising up people like Zaina to become Leprosy Changemakers, to lead the fight against leprosy. They are part of a sea change, paving the way for a Mozambique free of leprosy and
discrimination.

Zaina was shown God's unconditional love through the kindness of a stranger. Forever grateful, Zaina’s love for others walking the same path as her knows no bounds. She goes the extra mile to find those
who are hidden away and fearful so that they too have the freedom of a new life.

Zaina was a young mum when she first noticed discoloured patches on her skin. She didn’t know what they were, but when they became visible to other people in her home village of Namatua, they recognised the signs of leprosy. Because of age-old myths surrounding disease, some of the villagers banished her to the forest, chanting “go to the bush” over and over.

Together with her young son, Zaina was forced to live in the forest. If that wasn’t hard enough, a group of villagers came to take her little boy away. Zaina was heartbroken. Hungry and without medicine, her body became increasingly weak.

By the grace of God a stranger found Zaina in the forest. He built her a hut to shelter from the rain and took her to a health post where her leprosy was cured. Leprosy Changemakers, trained by The Leprosy Mission, were able to go to Namatua and teach the villagers
about leprosy and how it is easily cured.

Zaina was able to take back her future into her own hands and is now a thriving member of her community. Determined others shouldn't have to suffer a similar fate, Zaina has trained as a Leprosy Changemaker. She is able to recognise the early signs of leprosy and
has made it her mission to encourage others affected by the disease.

“I say to someone with leprosy that they should take care of themselves,” she said.

“They should take the medication because this disease has a cure. They should bathe, wash their clothes, brush their teeth and carry on living. They must realise they will get better.”

The Unconditional Appeal sees churches in the UK partner with communities in Mozambique to build community hubs.

A community hub, or a Hub of Hope, gives a beating heart to a village like Namatua, a place from which to lead the fight against leprosy. A place where Leprosy Changemakers, like Zaina, can learn to recognise early symptoms of the disease. Crucially, a Hub of Hope is a place where people affected by leprosy are welcomed unconditionally.

Will you become a Leprosy Changemaker today by sharing Jesus's unconditional love for people with leprosy?

There is a wonderful opportunity, thanks to UK Aid Match, for your unconditional love to go twice as far. Gifts to The Unconditional Appeal made from 24 January to 24 April 2021 will be DOUBLED by the UK government.

Your gift of £24 will bring the cure to someone with leprosy.
So by giving £24 your gift will be doubled to £48 so two people can be found, diagnosed and cured.

It costs £70 to train a Leprosy Changemaker to recognise the early signs of the disease. They will act as a supportive friend to travel with to a healthpost or make contact with a Community Health Worker who can give the cure. So by giving £35 today, your donation becomes £70, training a Leprosy Changemaker whose love goes on to transform the lives of others.

This is an unconditional love that keeps giving.

‘We love because He first loved
us.’

1 John 4:19 (NIV)