These are the hands of Tarsih, a senior lady forced to live alone in a remote village in Indonesia.
Tarsih was abandoned by friends and family because she had leprosy.
You can see the damage to Tarsih’s hands.
This happened because Tarsih’s community knew nothing about leprosy. They thought she must have ghosts in her house. Evil spirits that had cursed her.
So, they forced Tarsih's hands into boiling water - for many hours - to 'cure' the curse.
What a tragedy that lack of knowledge, and local superstitions, can lead to such needless trauma.
That's why I urge you to DONATE NOW to help end this agony.
Your donation will go directly to work to help create more leprosy friendly communities like Tarsih's in our neighbour Indonesia.
In a moment, I will explain how you do this...
... but first, I have good news for you.
Your impact is multiplied FIVE TIMES more... thanks to this Australian Government Matching Grant!
Leprosy has been found in slum communities in Bekasi, on Jakarta’s sprawling outskirts.
This seems an ‘impossible’ challenge, but I take confidence from your example, and as a Christian, the words of Jesus:
"What is impossible with man is possible with God."
Luke 18:27
Let me show you now what you will do:
Urban communities are different to the villages you helped transform into being leprosy friendly villages. Therefore, a different approach is needed. Your 5:1 donation supports a range of inter-connected activities that together help tackle leprosy in the informal communities on the outskirts of Jakarta.
Your kindness today will:
✔ Train private doctors, traditional healers and other alternative medical practitioners in leprosy diagnosis and management.
✔ Train influential community members in the slum communities to identify the signs and symptoms of leprosy.
✔ Set up a universal referral pathway that can be used by both private and public health departments to record and refer leprosy patients for further treatment.
✔ Screen informal settlements to find new cases early and prevent disability.
✔ Make sure people take the full course of Multi-Drug Therapy to cure their leprosy.
✔ Provide regular home visits to help patients through their leprosy treatment.
What a gift you give ...
... Leprosy Friendly Communities, so people like Tarsih are safe and accepted, and can be healed!
What a gift from the Government ...
... to increase your impact FIVE TIMES more!
Please don't miss out on bringing healing and hope to people threatened by leprosy across Indonesia.
Give your 5:1 donation now to transform life from hands twisted in unspoken prayer ...
... to the joy you see in Tarsih's smile!
The Mission: Impossible project in Indonesia is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP). Thanks to you and ANCP, this project can 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.