KIT Blog

Radhika first joined New-SADLE as an artisan 27 years ago. The impact of that opportunity is still being felt today.

New SADLE is a not-for-profit organisation in Nepal, helping rehabilitate people affected by leprosy. Your support brings training and employment in the arts and crafts industry to people like Radhika. You empower them  to change their lives.

 Today Radhika is married with two children: one in high school, one with an eye on going to university and getting a degree in computer science. With her husband away for long periods of time with the Royal Guards, Radhika is left to support her family alone. 

Radhika works hard, dyeing textiles using wax, a method known as Batik. These are then sold to compassionate supporters who love to buy beautifully made, fairtrade products. While this provides an income for people like Radhika, it does so much more. Radhika and her children are now able to think in terms of goals and dreams, not just survival. 

For Radhika, her hard work led to being invited to be on the Board of Directors of ARNS. This is a new organisation, set up to support artisans.  What a moment of joy this was for Radhika! 

Over nearly three decades she has been able to support her family and improve their ability to support themselves. Now she can influence others to create lasting change for more young people, especially women. 

International Women's Day

March 8th is International Women’s Day (IWD). This is a time to engage in positive action that intentionally and urgently addresses the barriers many women face in reaching equality in their community. From entry-level work placements to CEOs, women are underrepresented in many areas.

The theme for IWD 2025 is ‘Accelerate Action’. According to data from the World Economic Forum it will take until the year 2158 to reach parity with men. This means women and girls are still facing barriers to education, professional life, and inclusion in decision making processes at all levels of society. 

Leprosy Mission Australia works tirelessly to address this, advocating and promoting opportunities for women to be included in decision making at all levels. Our aim for people affected by leprosy is not just to survive, but to reach their dreams. Not only to be cured, but to find inclusion, equality, and empowerment.

Radhika has worked hard to break down some of those barriers. She has not done that alone. We all have a part to play. Often it starts with being given an opportunity when it seems there was none.

Tirtha’s life changed completely when she was given the chance to learn a new skill. A shy and timid woman, Tirtha, from Nepal, had little confidence in herself, especially as she and her husband were hearing impaired and non-verbal. Raising two children, her husband’s income was not enough to take care of their family.

So, Tirtha battled her nerves and lack of handicraft skills to forge a new path for her and her family. Learning to sew and working alongside other women has given Tirtha’s life new energy. Her job has given her family security. She can afford for her children to attend boarding school and pay for their expenses. Tirtha is now active in her family’s decision making. She is also more involved in community activities and is especially interested in women’s rights.

For women like Radhika and Tirtha empowerment is not just about their own ambitions. It is about the rights of all women and girls to be treated with respect and dignity. It is about being people who can help spark lasting change. It is about bringing hope for all people to be included in their communities.

One Body, Many Parts

Working together we discover the power of what Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, calls the Body of Christ. Once we understand that each person has a part to play in the world, we can see people like Radhika and Tirtha in a different light. Our prayers become richer as we pray not only for physical healing but that they may thrive. We suffer and rejoice with them. We feel their longing to be free from the pain of leprosy, stigma, and poverty. We celebrate as they discover and use new gifts and skills to create a better world for themselves, their families, and their communities.

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” (1 Corinthians 12:21). Our strength lies in our differences. Working together we create a greater whole.  

Prayer Partners, producers like New SADLE, artisans who produce beautifully crafted items, The Leprosy Mission Shop team, the shoppers. Each of these (and more besides) take their part in the body, God at work to bring wholeness and unity.

What a blessing and inspiration Radhika and Tirtha are! As they were inspired so they inspired others. Their children and communities are stronger and better equipped for the future thanks to their hard work and your support.

The Leprosy Mission Australia works diligently to ‘Accelerate Action’ throughout the projects that you pray for and support. From ensuring Self-Help Groups are accessible to women, to running campaigns educating communities on the importance of women’s inclusion in decision making processes. Thank you for being part of The Leprosy Mission Australia. Thank you for being part of the Body of Christ, empowering women like Radhika and Tirtha to have their voices heard and bring equality. 

Pray for Radhika and Tirtha as they continue to shine a light in their communities. Pray that people will listen and be inspired to be part of building a better world for all.

Give thanks and pray for producers and artisans, working together to create beautiful products that allow people to have a sustainable livelihood.

Pray for The Leprosy Mission Australia Shop as they continue to work closely with producers and artisans to ensure they can offer shoppers quality products that are fair trade and make a difference in the world.