TLM is committed to the empowerment of individuals, families and communities affected by leprosy or at risk of the disease.  Such people often suffer from lack of choice and are usually powerless to change their situation.

TLM wants to help them enlarge their choices and to encourage and enable them to take part in decisions affecting their lives.  During rehabilitation, TLM's goal is empowerment; not dependency.

Empowerment enables each person affected by leprosy to reach their potential as a full participant in their community, which gives them pride, dignity and a sense of worth.  In the end, we want to hear people say, "I've been cured of leprosy AND I am a valued and respected person."