Leprosy Friendly Village, Desaku, Indonesia
Villages are important places for people to have community and a sense of belonging. Unfortunately, due to misinformation and a lack of understanding, patients with leprosy are marginalised, feared, and discriminated against, even by the health workers who are supposed to be treating them.
Partnering with Yayasan NLR Indonesia, The Leprosy Mission Australia works in 20 villages across Kuningan district, in rural Indonesia, to create leprosy friendly villages. Working closely with the local government and influential community members/groups, the project aims to increase knowledge of leprosy to combat misinformation amongst health workers and the community. The project encourages health workers and influential community members to become involved in leprosy diagnosis and support people to access medical services in their villages.
Desaku means ‘My village’ in Bahasa (Indonesian language). The project aims for communities to take ownership and see their leprosy friendly village as ‘my village’.
If villages can learn to cultivate a supportive community, free of discrimination and fear of leprosy, people will have confidence to come forward for diagnosis and treatment, knowing that they will continue to be accepted in their communities. This is when the true numbers of leprosy will be revealed and reduction in transmission and permanent disability can begin.
This project commenced in July 2022.
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In this video Executive Director of Yayasan NLR Indonesia, Asken Sinaga, discusses about Leprosy Friendly Village Desaku
Please note: Donations of $2 or more are tax-deductible. Due to added security measures, donations below $10 can no longer be processed online. To make a gift $9 or less, please call us on 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767).
If the area of need becomes fully funded, your gift will go where most needed.
Supported by the Australian Government
The Leprosy Friendly Village (Desaku) Project is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Thanks to ANCP, this project is able to help improve the well-being of people affected by leprosy and disability in Indonesia.
The Leprosy Mission Australia is a member of the Australian Council for International Development and is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct. The Code requires members to meet high standards of corporate governance, public accountability, and financial management. The Leprosy Mission Australia is committed to full adherence to the ACFID Code of Conduct. More information about the ACFID Code of Conduct may be obtained by contacting The Leprosy Mission Australia or visiting the ACFID website. Complaints relating to a breach of the ACFID Code of Conduct can be made to the ACFID Code of Conduct Committee.
We are committed to disability-inclusive development.
The Leprosy Mission Australia is a member of the Fair Trade Association of Australia and New Zealand, a network of organisations that support fairness in prices and wages, improved market access and poverty alleviation