Partners

Leprosy Mission International

The leprosy mission is an international Christian Organization working towards the eradication of the causes and consequences of the leprosy.

We are a global network of organizations active in over 50 countries across the world. We work hand in hand with governments and local communities, with partner health organizations, WHO, local NGO's, local churches, Christian partners and many others to achieve our vision of a without leprosy

Our expertise is in the detection, treatment, care rehabilitation and reintegration of people and communities affected by leprosy. We pass on this expertise to government and health workers through national training programs, research studies and evaluation and monitoring services.

Through media and awareness campaigns, we challenge prejudice and misconceptions about leprosy. We work with community groups to encourage them to join together to find ways of making their needs heard and becoming and self supporting.

Global partners include 25 National Councils and support groups who give TLM an invaluable presence around the world mobilizing support and awareness.

• TLM has served people affected by leprosy since 1874
• Supports 202 leprosy programme in 29 countries in South Asia, Africa and East Asia Pacific.
• TLM is active in over 50 countries
• Supports leprosy services which cover over 305 million people
• TLM is active in over 50 countries
• TLM employs over 2000 national and international field staff

Our Vision:A world without leprosy.
Our Goal:  to eradicate the causes and consequences of leprosy.
Our Key Priorities:

1. Stay Focused on leprosy until the work is finished
2. Strengthen and expand on our work with people with physical disabilities
3. Include people society excludes

GLRA

The landmark that significantly contributed for the contemporary leprosy work in Ethiopia started in 1955 when a German reporter Graf Von Magnis and a theology student Mr. Recke had traveled through Ethiopia. On their way they met Dr. Jean Feron, the Pioneer of modern medication for leprosy patients, in Ethiopia. The French Doctor came to Harar in1930 and used to work and facilitate the leprosy work medical service being together with the Catholic Church that was granted a plot of land from the then governor of Harar, Ras Mekonnen, in the beginning of the 20th century for looking after leprosy patients. The travelers were impressed with what they saw and left to Germany with a vague idea of doing something to improve the condition of the patients.

The vague idea seemed to have taken shape after the report passed the information about the condition to a colleague in the same newspaper; because it was then that some sort of fund raising was contemplated and started. The fund collected from private donors was so generous beyond expectation that it required the formation of managing and coordination team. Consequently, GLRA was founded on January 10th, 1957

The vague idea seemed to have taken shape after the report passed the information about the condition to a colleague in the same newspaper; because it was then that some sort of fund raising was contemplated and started. The fund collected from private donors was so generous beyond expectation that it required the formation of managing and coordination team. Consequently, GLRA was founded on January 10th, 1957

First, it was called "Leprosy Relief Association Dr. Feron" as in the beginnings the founders aimed only at the support of Leprosy patients looked after by Dr. Jean Feron in Ethiopia. Already in August of the same year, the name was changed to German Leprosy Relief Association." Now it is Called “German Leprosy & TB Relief Association”.

A year later the construction of Relief Centre Bisidimo (RCB) was started by GLRA with the cooperation of the Ethiopian Government, Ministry of Health and the Harar Catholic Church. Over the years GLRA has expanded it assistance to leprosy programmes to almost all endemic countries in the Third World. The vague idea of how to improve a home of a few leprosy patients has become a world-wide commitment to alleviate the suffering of the leprosy patient.

Aim of GLRA

The aim of GLRA’s efforts is the medical and social healing of the individual from leprosy and tuberculosis. To realize effective and sustainable development, it is necessary to consider the social environment and the living conditions of the affected persons.

• Leprosy and TB control programs:
  9 regional and 2 administrative cities Amhara, Oromiya, SNNPRG, Tigray, Afar, Harari, Benishangul, Gambella, Somali, Addis Ababa. Dire Dawa have been assisted with finance logistics, material and transport.
• Socio Economic Rehabilitation Project: GLRA is assisting about 13 socio economic projects (CBR, welfare and others) that compromise vocational training, educational support, self help work groups, housing, support to PAL associations, water supply and sanitation, relief/emergency assistance, advocacy and awareness raising, counseling and self care older persons, support and CBR soft loan scheme, in selected regions in Ethiopia namely Amhara, Tigray, Oromiya, SNNPR, Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Harari.
• Prevention of Disabilities (POD) The support in this regard includes provision of appropriate medicines, accommodation cost for hospital patients, necessary surgical and orthopedic equipments and raw materials for 9 orthopedic workshops, which produce orthotics and prosthetics for the prevention of new and further disabilities. The workshops were established and equipped by GLRA.