ACTION Magazine 2019 A

YOUR GIFTS ARE CURING AND CHANGING LIVES! 

COVER: 

Cure One 

like Niran! 

Youth livelihoods 

thanks to you! 

Award-winning 

leprosy champion 

Fighting leprosy 

in the Pacific

EDITION 1, 2019 

In this edition for you 

3 Your message from the CEO 

4 Nagammal: the award-winning 

leprosy champion 

6 Zero Leprosy Strategy — 

with your help 

8 Cure One like Niran! 

10 Youth livelihoods make dreams 

come true 

12 New resources to host your 

Cuppa for a Cure 

14 Your impact: Fighting leprosy 

in the Pacific 

15 Your Cure One commitment form 

The Leprosy Mission Australia 

ABN 52 354 004 543 I ACN 067 616 193 

PO Box 293 Box Hill VIC 3128 I Fax 03 9890 0550 

Phone 03 9890 0577 

Tollfree 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) 

Email hello@leprosymission.org.au 

www.leprosymission.org.au 

Follow us at 

twitter.com/TLMAustralia or @TLMAustralia 

Like us at 

www.facebook.com/TLMAustralia 

Find us on 

vimeo.com/tlmaustralia 

Find us on 

www.leprosymission.org.au/youtube 

Find us on 

instagram.com/tlmaustralia 

Find us on 

linkedin.com/company/the-leprosy-mission-australia/ 

Find us on 

pinterest.com.au/tlmaustralia 

We see Transformation: 

People healed and living in community 

with dignity, opportunity and hope 

VISION: 

Leprosy Defeated. Lives Transformed. 

MISSION: 

Following Jesus Christ, The Leprosy Mission 

strives to break the chains of leprosy, 

empowering people to attain healing, 

dignity and life in all its fullness. 

Thanks to Daniel Christiansz Photography for many of the 

photos featured in this edition of ACTION Magazine. 

Giving feedback or making a complaint: 

You can provide feedback or lodge a complaint with us: 

By telephone (Freecall): 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) 

By email: hello@leprosymission.org.au 

By Post: Feedback / Complaint, The Leprosy Mission Australia, 

PO Box 293 BOX HILL VIC 3128 

The Leprosy Mission Australia ABN 52 354 004 543 (TLMA) 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. TLMA is committed 

to full adherence to the ACFID Code of Conduct. More information about the ACFID 

Code of Conduct may be obtained from The Leprosy Mission Australia website: 

www.leprosymission.org.au or ACFID’s website: www.acfid.asn.au. 

The Leprosy Mission Australia is an international organisation that works 

in partnership with governments, public health officials, non-government 

organisations, the World Health Organisation, churches, Christian partners 

and others to achieve its vision of a world without leprosy. The Leprosy Mission 

is the oldest and largest leprosy-focussed organisation in the world today. 

The Leprosy Mission Australia complies with the Voluntary Code of Practice 

for Public Fundraising in Western Australia. 

THIS PUBLICATION IS 

PRINTED CARBON NEUTRAL 

This publication has been printed using an ISO 14001 environmental 

management system (EMS) and ISO 9001 quality management system (QMS) 

certified printer. It is manufactured using an independently audited carbon 

neutral process. The paper is Sumo Laser, an environmental responsible 

paper manufactured under the environmental management system ISO 

14001 using Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF) pulp sourced from well managed 

forests. Sumo Laser is FSC® Mixed Sources Chain of Custody (CoC) certified. 

This publication is fully recyclable. 

2 Zero Leprosy Transmission by 2035. Towards Zero Leprosy Disability and Discrimination!

Your message from the CEO 

Towards zero leprosy... thank you for 

Curing, Caring for and Restoring lives 

Today, I offer thanksgiving to God 

for supporters like you. Your 

generosity in giving your prayers, 

time and finances is such a 

blessing to the work of The 

Leprosy Mission Australia. 

As we lay out our plans before God, 

I’m reminded our God is a mighty 

God. It’s He who inspires us to fulfil 

the goals of the new global strategy 

towards zero leprosy transmission, 

disability and discrimination (pages 

6-7). That’s a big, audacious goal 

but it’s possible to achieve with 

your help. 

One way you can be part of this 

vision is as a Cure One regular giver. 

Because our God is also a God of 

love. Jesus loved those affected by 

leprosy... and I urge you to follow his 

example for the sake of those like 

Niran (pages 8-9). He needs not 

only a leprosy Cure, but also 

ongoing Care and Restoration. 

Thank you to everyone who makes 

this commitment to Cure One. 

As you read through this edition of 

ACTION, I hope you’ll be inspired 

and blessed by the impact you’re 

already having. You can catch 

another update on Nagammal 

(pages 4-5), who is now winning 

awards as a leprosy champion. 

You’ll see how your support gives 

leprosy-affected young people new 

livelihoods and futures through your 

Vocational Training Centre in India 

(pages 10-11). And get your children 

involved in the work of The Leprosy 

Mission with resources available for 

children of all ages (page 13). 

Finally, I’d like to highlight the words 

of The Leprosy Mission’s founder 

Wellesley Bailey. He gave glory to 

God as Jehovah Nissi “The Lord is 

our banner”, challenging us with the 

statement “do we not march under 

His banner, and His banner is love?” 

I pray we march under this banner 

of love. So all afflicted with this 

disease can live in a future with 

zero leprosy transmission, disability 

and discrimination. 

God bless you. 

Sheldon Rankin 

CEO, The Leprosy Mission Australia 

A Passion for Mission 

Her Iegacy Iives on 

The late Gladys Blodwyn Ritchie was passionate about 

helping people affected by leprosy over many years and 

generously left a gift in her will — entrusting The Leprosy 

Mission to continue to do so in her name. Thank you Gladys. 

Would you like to provide leprosy cures, prevent disability 

and stop discrimination for future generations? Then please 

consider leaving a Gift in Your Will to support the healing 

ministry of The Leprosy Mission. Just tick the Gifts in Will 

box on the back cover and send the form back to us. 

Thank you for 

changing 

my future. 

ACTION | Edition 1, 2018 2019 

3

You changed her life 

The blessings keep flowing in 

Nagammal’s life... 

because of you! 

Thanks to your support, this beaming woman of God 

has come a long way. She was found, abandoned and 

soaked through, in a goat shed during the India floods 

of 2015. 

A transformed 

life has made 

an awardwinning 

leprosy 

champion out 

of Nagammal... 

because of you! 

Now she can write... thanks to you! 

Nagammal lost her hands to leprosy years ago. She 

used to have terrible wounds on her residual limbs. 

But since then, thanks to your support, she’s learned 

how to prevent ulcers and she received reconstructive 

surgery on her forearms. This means she can pick up 

her specially modified spoon to feed herself. 

And now she has the capacity to hold a pen. So she 

can sign her own name and get her own bank account. 

Previously, she couldn’t even use a thumbprint – since 

she no longer had thumbs! 

She runs a self-help group... thanks to you. 

Once Nagammal was unable to even cook or care 

for herself. With your help, she’s not only living 

independently—she now heads up a local selfhelp 

group helping people affected by leprosy and 

disability. They support each other and have plans to 

develop their own livelihoods. 

Hungry, abandoned, with ulcerated limbs... 

your support meant The Leprosy Mission 

workers found Nagammal and took her to 

hospital for treatment. 

4 Zero Leprosy Every Transmission 2 minutes, by one 2035. person Towards is diagnosed Zero Leprosy with Disability leprosy... and Cure Discrimination! 

One today!

Award-winning leprosy champion 

“I feel like God is with me!” exclaims 

Nagammal. “I believe now that God 

sent The Leprosy Mission because 

He saw my suffering.” 

With her wheelchair—or even her walker—she 

no longer has to crawl on the ground. Thank you! 

“We save 130 rupees a month each... I plan to start a business 

to sell firewood with a loan from the group. There’s lots of 

demand at local hotels.” 

She speaks up for the vulnerable... thanks to you! 

As a leprosy champion, Nagammal educates others about the 

disease and advocates for leprosy-affected people. 

She shared her story during National Women’s Day to raise 

awareness about women with leprosy, receiving an award for 

her efforts. She also received another trophy on International 

World Leprosy Day. 

From living in an animal shed to advocating for others... what 

a difference you’ve made! 

She’s a new person... thanks to you! 

It’s hard to believe Nagammal is the same person who lived in 

inhumane conditions in an animal shed for 17 years. 

Because of your support, she’s received Multi-Drug Therapy, 

reconstructive surgery, a wheelchair and walker, and a brand 

new home. Her community now understands leprosy is 

curable and supports Nagammal instead of ostracising her. 

Now she’s a blessing to others around her! Praise The Lord! 

And it’s because of you. “I’m so grateful I have brothers and 

sisters around the world who have been so kind and generous 

to me... a thousand times thank you!” 

TAKE ACTION 

If you’d like to raise up leprosy 

champions like Nagammal, 

you can support The Leprosy 

Mission’s PARTI Project in India. 

Just call 1800 LEPROSY 

(1800 537 767) or visit 

www.leprosymission.org.au 

You’ve made it possible 

for Nagammal to use a 

pen and sign her name. 

ACTION | Edition 1, 2019 

5

Cure One today! 

The call for YOU to Cure One! 

Bless you for Curing One like Anjali 

Thank you to the faithful supporters 

who have made the commitment to 

Cure One. 

If you’re not yet part of the Cure One 

community, we urge you to consider 

the difference you can make. Cure 

One supporters have been following 

Anjali’s year-long Cure, Care and 

Restore journey. 

Anjali’s parents wept when they found 

out their beloved daughter had leprosy. 

Her nerve-damaged feet had been 

badly burned, and her hands had 

begun to claw. 

But by God’s grace, Anjali did not 

lose her feet or hands to the disease. 

Because someone like you decided to 

Cure One. 

Now we’re looking for others to Cure 

One in the next year (see pages 8-9): 

1. Cure 

You’ll help provide Multi-Drug 

Therapy (MDT) to people diagnosed 

with leprosy. The earlier they can 

receive the cure, the less likely they 

are to develop a disability. 

For a full cure, patients usually need 

MDT for at least 12 months—but 

often it’s hard to ensure continuity 

of treatment. 

Because a person affected by 

leprosy may live in a remote area. 

Or have a disability that makes it 

hard to travel to a doctor. Or be 

too poor to seek treatment. Or 

the stigma of leprosy makes them 

ashamed to try to get help. All this 

plays a part in interrupting a 

course of MDT. 

But when you commit to Cure One, 

you’ll ensure a person with leprosy 

gets the support they need to 

complete a full course. 

2. Care 

Once cured, people still have to deal 

with the effects of leprosy. 

With self-care training, you show 

them how to help prevent wounds 

and stop infection that could lead to 

amputation or permanent disability. 

You may also be providing 

physiotherapy so nerve-damaged 

hands and feet can function again. 

And in severe cases, your support 

may mean surgery or prosthetic 

devices to restore mobility and the 

use of limbs. 

3. Restore 

People affected by leprosy may be 

cured and cared for… but they still 

need to be restored to their families 

and communities. 

Today, the stigma of leprosy lingers. 

You provide emotional support and 

counselling for people ostracised or 

abandoned by family and friends. 

And you also give them a chance 

to finish school or learn livelihood 

skills. It could be raising goats, 

chickens, opening a shop, or making 

jewellery or bamboo stools. So they 

can be self-sufficient and earn their 

own living. 


Christ-centred leprosy plan 

Cure One, 

Our strategy is centred on Christ, 

the Triple Zero 

with a main priority of reducing 

transmission as we work towards 

our long term goal of zero leprosy 

Leprosy transmission Strategy 

by 2035. This links in 

Christ at the Centre 

OUR STRATEGIC 

PRIORITIES 

and YOU! 

with our two other focus areas, 

disability and discrimination. 

In order to deliver on this strategy, 

we will intentionally invest in four 

key enabling areas: Members and 

People, Fundraising, Church and 

Partnership, and Advocacy. Our aims 

for 2023 are all significant steps 

towards our long-term ambitions. 

When you help Cure One today, you play a 

key part in moving towards Zero Leprosy 

Transmission, Disability and Discrimination. 

We know nothing is impossible with Jesus! So we invite 

you to join the vision to defeat leprosy and transform lives. 

Strategy doc OCT18 24pp text.indd 11 

Towards Zero Leprosy Transmission 

by 2035... when you help Cure 

Every 2 minutes, another case of leprosy diagnosed. 

Around 30% of these cases are children. You’ll help 

prevent transmission through early diagnosis and 

treatment of leprosy in countries where the disease 

is endemic. 

Towards Zero Leprosy Disability... 

when you help Care 

If leprosy is treated early enough, nobody should 

suffer disability from the disease. You can help prevent 

nerve damage, loss of hands and feet, and loss of 

independence due to leprosy. 

Zero Leprosy Discrimination... 

when you help Restore 

Leprosy is curable! So no child or adult should be 

excluded from family, community, school or workplace 

due to the disease. You can help change attitudes and 

fight discriminatory laws that exclude leprosy-affected 

people from society. 

MEMBERS AND PEOPLE 

Demonstrating 

Personal 

Qualities 

CHURCH AND PARTNERSHIP 

ZERO LEPROSY 

TRANSMISSION 

BY 2035 

TOWARDS 

ZERO LEPROSY 

DISABILITY 

CHRIST- 

CENTRED 

FUNDRAISING 

Working 

with Others 

TOWARDS 

ZERO LEPROSY 

DISCRIMINATION 

ADVOCACY 

Cure One now for zero leprosy 

in the future 

Take ACTION and 

Cure One today for 

Zero Leprosy 

in the future! 

When you commit to Cure One, you will 

follow Niran’s journey—meet this young 

boy on pages 8-9. You can Cure, Care for 

and Restore someone like Niran with 

a monthly gift of $36 for 12 months. 

Just tick Cure One today on the inside 

back page and send it back 

with your details! 

LE 

DEF 

TRANSFO 

We praise God over 16 million leprosy cases 

have been cured over the last 20 years! But 

leprosy is still prevalent in many countries… 

we want to see Zero Leprosy Transmission, 

Disability and Discrimination. 

In the name of Jesus 

Jesus loved those who were rejected and 

despised. He reached out and cured the sick 

and the desperate—including those with leprosy. 

In fact, Jesus Cured, Cared for and Restored 

many people with leprosy. And He Cured One at 

a time. You can Cure One too... in Jesus’ name! 


7

Cure One like Niran 

Your invitation 

to experience 

the joy 

of Niran’s 

Cure One 

journey 

Your generosity through Cure One means 

one child like Niran can receive the 

medicine he needs to be cured of leprosy... 

“ The JO Y of the Lord 

is your strength.” 

Nehemiah 8:10 

Little Niran was a typical boy. 

He had his whole future ahead of him. 

But when he was just 9, tragedy 

struck. His beloved mother died, 

leaving a void in the family. 

Then Niran discovered he had 

leprosy. For so many children, 

leprosy means nerve damage, 

clawed hands, amputated fingers 

and toes. It can also mean stigma, 

rejection and exclusion from family, 

friends and school. 

But with generous supporters like 

you, leprosy doesn’t have to destroy 

Niran’s future. 

That’s why I’m inviting you today 

to join Niran on his Cure, Care and 

Restore journey. (You can read 

more of his story in the letter in the 

middle of this magazine.) 

When you commit to Cure One today, 

you will see Niran’s story unfold over 

the next year. You will experience 

the joy of Curing One! 

• You can rejoice with Niran when 

he’s finally cured of leprosy. 

• You will see his reaction to 

whatever mobility can be restored 

to his clawed hands. 

• Let your heart leap for joy as he 

can once again confidently join his 

friends to play. 

As a Cure One supporter, all you 

need to do is commit to $36 a 

month for 12 months or $432 to 

Cure One. 

Your monthly support will provide a 

Cure for one person’s body, support 

the Care for one person’s ongoing 

physical needs, and Restore hope 

to one person’s heart. 

And you will experience the joy of 

Niran’s journey to recovery! 

“May the God of hope fill 

you with all JO Y and peace 

as you trust in him.” 

Romans 15:13 


Cure One in Jesus’ name 

...and you 

provide 

restorative 

surgery to fix 

nerve damage 

like Niran may 

require for in 

his left eye. 

As you journey with Niran, you’ll see 

his hands regain movement! 

“I stopped going out to 

play with my friends.” 

Your regular support 

helps to reverse the 

social isolation of 

children like Niran. 

Jesus’ compassion led him to 

heal the sick… 

When Jesus sought time alone in a solitary 

place, the crowds wouldn’t let him rest. 

What was his response? 

“When Jesus landed and saw a large 

crowd, he had compassion on them and 

healed their sick.” Matthew 14:14 

Jesus was busy. He needed rest. 

He needed time with God. 

But when people came to him for 

healing, he put aside his own needs... 

And reached out and Cured One. 

And then another one… 

His love for people compelled him to act. 

Today, will you Cure One too? 


and CURE ONE 

like Niran! 

Can you Cure One? Or even 

Cure Two? Then please simply 

fill out the form on the Inside 

back page and send it 

back to us! 


9

“He heals the brokenhearted 

and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 

Please help Cure One at a time like Jesus did. 

He lost his mother. He lost the use of his hands. 

Will he lose his future too? 

Please, will you Cure One like Niran? 

Dear Friend, 

Niran was only 9 when his mother died... 

Leaving him with his leprosy-affected father who could not care for him. So he had to move away to 

stay with his brother. 

Then... Niran discovered he had leprosy too. 

Imagine his grief at losing his beloved mother. And his terror of leprosy. If left untreated, he could 

have lost his hands, his feet, his eyesight... and his future. 

Already Niran’s hands have become clawed. He has trouble with simple tasks like eating. He can’t 

properly grip a pencil, which means he’ll struggle to finish school. 

And because of facial nerve damage, he can’t fully close his left eye. 

If only Niran had received early treatment, he could have been totally free of the effects of leprosy… 

Forever. 

That’s why I’m reaching out to you today. Please, will you join a special group of generous supporters? 

They give each month to help those like little Niran. 

It costs just $432—or $36 a month for 12 months — 

to Cure One like Niran. 

Jesus never hesitated to cure, care for and restore those affected by leprosy who came to him. Will you 

follow his example in reaching out to those with leprosy?

It starts with just one. 

ONE person like you reaching out in love to… 

ONE person in desperate need... 

Please, I urge you to become a Cure One supporter today. You’ll receive regular updates, showing the 

transformation in Niran’s life. 

And you’ll experience the joy of walking with Niran on his journey to restoration! 

As part of your commitment today to Cure One: 

1. You will provide a CURE. Your faithful support means one person like Niran can receive a full course 

of Multi Drug Therapy... critical to cure him and prevent disabilities. 

2. You will provide CARE. One person like Niran will have the chance to undergo reconstructive surgery 

and physiotherapy to correct his eye problems or clawed hands. 

3. You will RESTORE. Because of you, one person like Niran can finish school and further studies. 

You’ll restore that chance to fulfil a dream... in Niran’s case, he desperately wants to be an engineer. 

Leprosy IS curable. But it’s vital a child like Niran completes a full course of medication (at least 12 

months)... and receives follow up treatment. 

That’s why your 12-month commitment to Cure One is so vital. 

It’s not too late for little Niran! Jesus met many people affected by leprosy who believed they were 

confined to live as outcasts... and he Cured One at a time. 

You can Cure One too... and offer real hope and a future to children like Niran. 

Please help Cure One like Niran today — 

just like Jesus did! 

Children like Niran should not miss out on a cure... 

and their best futures! 

To Cure One, just fill out the form on the inside back page of this magazine and send it back to us in the 

reply paid envelope enclosed. 

Thank you for following Jesus’ example... and reaching out to Cure One. 

Blessings, 

Sheldon Rankin 

CEO, The Leprosy Mission Australia 

PS. Please DONATE NOW to Cure One like Niran. Take part in the joy of his journey from being 

cured, receiving care and being restored. God bless you!

You give them livelihoods 

Leprosy-affected youth 

have dreams too… 

and you heIp fuIfiI them 

through the VocationaI Training Centre you support! 

When you’re a child affected by leprosy, you can lose 

not only feeling in limbs, but family and community. You 

may also be banned from your school or workplace... 

Or if your parents have leprosy, they may lose the ability 

to work or generate an income — so they cannot afford 

to send you to school... 

Which means you can lose your dreams for the future. 

Dreams of independence, livelihood and support for 

your family. 

That’s why your support of the Vocational Training 

Centre in Tamil Nadu, India, is so important. The 

centre aims to provide training and livelihoods for 

children and youth who have leprosy or have parents 

affected by leprosy. 

Leprosy-affected young people can enroll in courses 

to become tailors, electricians, auto mechanics, 

refrigeration and air-conditioning technicians, and to 

work in animal husbandry. 

Not only this, your generosity gives youth crucial life 

skills and confidence through: 

• Small business and entrepreneurship skills 

• Leadership skills 

• Money management skills 

• Ways to manage their disability 

• Mental health support 

• Knowledge of human rights 

• Counselling and mentoring 

The vocational education program also includes 

working with prospective employers to reduce the 

stigma and discrimination of leprosy so graduates 

can get jobs. 

Now Vinoth is so grateful for 

work that means he can support 

his mother... thank you! 

Vinoth is a refrigeration and aircon technician... 


“I felt I had lost my life.” 

Vinoth has seen the effects 

of leprosy on his mother and 

grandfather... and their exclusion 

from the family. So when he 

discovered he had leprosy too, he 

was very distressed. 

“I thought I would not be able to 

share a meal with others around me 

like my mother had been excluded 

from doing... Because my hand had 

clawed, I kept being teased so I 

decided to leave school.” 

Vinoth began a job as a labourer to 

support his mother. She could not 

work due to the ulcers she had from 

leprosy. But how long could Vinoth 

continue manual labour with his 

own clawed hand... and the high 

risk of developing crippling 

ulcers himself? 

Because of generous supporters 

like you, Vinoth was able to get 

reconstructive surgery to restore 

mobility to his hand. He then 

got the chance to complete the 

refrigeration and airconditioning 

course at the vocational training 

centre. Now he’s delighted to be 

working in his chosen trade. 

“I was so grateful for a role that 

meant I could support my mother 

and brother. A big thank you to 

all those in Australia who have 

supported the training centre. 

It has changed my life!” 


You make dreams come true 

Kesevan is now a car mechanic – thanks to you! 

“I chose the car mechanics course 

because I knew I would always be able to 

work anywhere with these skills.” 

Kesevan does not have leprosy himself. 

He is a young person whose future is at 

risk because his mother had the disease. 

“Ever since I can remember, my mother 

has struggled with leprosy. She has 

clawed fingers in her left hand... we have 

experienced discrimination in our family 

due to leprosy.” 

Things changed shortly after his mother 

had two fingers amputated. A worker 

from The Leprosy Mission recommended 

that Kesevan start the car mechanics 

course at the vocational training centre. 

Kesevan’s family could not have afforded 

his education and training without this 

assistance... made possible because 

of you. Likely, he would have remained 

unemployed even though he was eager 

to work. 

Instead, Kesevan now works in a Honda 

showroom as a motorbike mechanic. 

With the help of the training centre’s 

placement officer, Kesevan got this job 

within a week of graduation! 

Your generous support means 

Kesevan is now working in a 

Honda showroom as a bike 

mechanic! 

Because of you, Sarathkumar has 

a chance to achieve his dream of 

starting his own business! 

Sarathkumar is on the way to running his own business... 


The motivation of this energetic young 

man is inspiring. 

“In five years, I want to own my own 

shop in Vellore as an air-conditioning 

maintenance engineer.” 

What a great dream for a young 

person! But again, it wouldn’t be 

possible without your support. 

Because Sarathkumar was diagnosed 

with leprosy at 18. For so many like 

him, this means loss of livelihood 

opportunities and a future of poverty. 

Sarathkumar began to lose feeling 

in his fingers. Despite this, he tried 

desperately to keep working in the 

job he had as a builder. But when 

his hands began to claw, it looked 

like he would have to stop working 

altogether. 

But Praise God! And thanks to your 

support, he had reconstructive 

surgery on his hands. 

“I felt so sad and scared... but since 

the operation I feel so much better... 

I have more confidence.” 

He has channelled this new-found 

faith in himself into finishing the 

refrigeration and airconditioning 

course... and making bold plans to 

start his own business. Please pray 

for his success. 

“Thank you to all the supporters in 

Australia who have extended their 

help to me – I am so grateful!” 

TAKE 

ACTION! 

Would you like to help other leprosy-affected young people like Kesevan, Vinoth and 

Sarathkumar to achieve their dreams? Donate by calling 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) 

or visit www.leprosymission.org.au! Or buy a $100 Gift of Love of Vocational Training 

from the online catalogue at leprosymission.org.au/product/vocational-training/. 

And it’s not only boys who enrol at the Vocational Training Centre. Your support also helps 

girls fulfil their potential—look out for an update on female graduates in a future edition. 


11

Take ACTION in Jesus’ name 

EVERY CUPPA HELPS AT 

Fundraising through Cuppa for a Cure has never been easier! 

It’s tea time! Get a group of friends or colleagues 

together and host a Cuppa for a Cure to raise 

funds and raise awareness to fight this disease. 

It’s so easy to do. In fact, do you feel like a cuppa right now? If so, you can just fill 

up the kettle from the tap. Then you wait for the jug to boil and pour the water over 

your tea bag. 

But in many countries where leprosy is endemic, it’s not so simple. In fact, making 

a cuppa is fraught with potential danger and pain. 

Making a cuppa is not simple 

when you have leprosy and live 

in poverty... your support helps! 

First, you may have to lug heavy containers of water back from a river or well. 

If you suffer loss of sensation in your feet due to leprosy, you’re in danger of 

getting ulcers. Next, you might build a fire to heat the water 

in a pot. But with nerve damage, you may 

not feel it if you burn your hands. After 

adding tea leaves and spices, you’re 

ready to pour. But the stigma of 

leprosy means nobody wants to 

drink from your cups... or in 

company with you. 

That’s why every dollar you raise 

through your Cuppa for a Cure 

event matters. It goes towards 

helping people affected by leprosy 

receive treatment. It helps them 

learn self-care and how to prevent 

ulcers. It helps give them the skills 

they need to earn a livelihood. And it 

helps fight discrimination that can lead 

to abandonment and exclusion. 


Register your Cuppa for a Cure event 

online at cuppaforacure.org.au or tick 

Cuppa For A Cure on the back page and 

send it back to us. We’ll send you a host 

pack with everything you need for your tea 

party. Posters, DVD, coasters, invitation and 

information about leprosy. Plus any of the 

new free resources for adults or children. 

If registering by phone 1800 LEPROSY 

(1800 537 767), you can also 

purchase your coffee, tea, 

tea towel and mugs at the 

same time... 


Take ACTION in Jesus’ name 

Plus exclusive Cuppa for a Cure 

products available! 

As well as the FREE host pack, new products are available to 

make your Cuppa for a Cure event a huge success. 

3 BUY matching tea towels and mugs! Perfect to get your guests into 

the spirit of giving. 

3 BUY Himalayan specialty coffee! For those who prefer coffee, 

raise even more funds by ordering this awesome Himalayan blend. 

WATCH OUT in the Gift Catalogue for more products 

as they become available! 

every cuppa helps thank you! 

Your easy guide to host 

your own Cuppa for a Cure 

STEP 1 

Set the 

date 

31 

You can hold your 

event any time during 

the year! 

STEP 3 

Invite 

your guests 

Ask your family, 

friends and 

colleagues to join you 

for this great cause! 

STEP 2 

Register 

your event 

Contact us for your host 

pack and other info to make 

your event a success. 

STEP 4 

Drink to a 

leprosy cure 

Your guests can enjoy 

a cuppa, raise funds 

and boost awareness 

of leprosy! 

Tea for Two Times the Impact! 

When you buy Organic Assam 

Black Tea from The Leprosy 

Mission Shop, you are directly 

supporting a small tea farming 

family in India – and helping 

people affected by leprosy! 

Australian couple Derek and 

Trish, who have brought this 

tea to Australia see partnering 

with The Leprosy Mission as a 

“calling” and something that 

“God had a hand in”. Thanks 

Derek and Trish! 

Time for tea! Take ACTION now 

at leprosymission.org.au/shop 

Australian couple Derek and Trish 

(top) are partnering with Bijit and 

Swapna and their family in India. 

Children's Resources Available Too! 

Leprosy affects children too. The kids and youth in your Sunday School 

groups and Children’s Church aren’t too young to understand the 

impact of this disease. That’s why we’ve put together children’s 

resources for you to use. 

3 FREE colouring sheets related to leprosy and healing 

3 FREE word finds and other puzzles 

3 BUY Bela, the illustrated children’s book, from The Leprosy Mission 

Shop about a little girl with leprosy and her experience of exclusion. 

Age 8-11 Beautiful Feet 

Shoes, feet and all things sweet! 

Introduction 

Starting questions: what words would you use to describe 

feet? Would you ever ca l feet ‘beautiful’? Today we’re going 

to think of how some of the feet talked about in the Bible 

might be thought of as ‘beautiful’. 

Finding Feet in the Scriptures 

There are lots of times in the Bible when both feet and shoes 

are mentioned. In the Psalms, fee that avoid sinful places are 

blessed (Psalm 1:1). In Genesis 8:9 the foot of the dove could 

find no resting place, so returned to Noah’s Ark. In Numbers 

22:25, the donkey crushes Balaam’s foot agains the wa l, so 

Balaam hits the donkey. 

The Last Supper 

We now turn to look a the role of feet during The Last 

Supper. 

Game: Active Service 

Write the fo lowing activities on slips of paper: 

• Serving a tennis ba l 

• Dinner ladie serving lunch 

• A waiter taking an order 

• An army person at marching practice 

• A grown up using the self-service lane at a supermarket 

Give ou the slips of paper to different people, and ask them 

to act out what is written on the sheet. The group have to try 

and guess what it is tha they are acting out. 

The Big Idea: The game wi l help to ge the group thinking of 

the di ferent people who serve us. 

Bible Reflection 

Read John 13:1-17 

During the Last Supper, Jesu shows his disciples tha they 

must serve one another. How does he do this? He, the master 

and leader, takes a towel and some water and does the job of a 

servant, and washes their feet! Washing feet was an unpleasant 

job. The roads were dusty, and feet were hot and sme ly from 

long walks and the heat of the sun. 

Ask: How can we serve one another? 

Some thoughts: 

• Jesu sets us an example that we should keep in mind in 

every situation. 

• We can think of how we can serve those who are far from 

us, by sending our prayers and raising money to help them. 

• We can think of how we can serve those who are close to 

us, by praying for them, and doing kind things that wi l help 

them. 

Beautiful feet 

Isaiah 52:7 gives a picture of fee that bring a message of hope: 

‘How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring 

good news, who proclaim peace, who brin good tidings, who 

proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”’ 

Fee tha te l of God’s good news are actua ly ca led ‘beautiful’! 

For us as Christians, the big question is how we can make our 

feet beautiful? 

What we have already learnt about Mary and Martha, and The 

Last Supper can help us here. Fee tha take time ou to rest, 

and a low us to listen to God, and fee that work at serving 

others just as Jesus did at The Last Supper are feet that are 

doing a good job! 

We are ca led to rest with God, to serve others, and finally, we 

are ca led to share the good news with others. 

Ask: What places do our feet take us, that we could bring with us 

the good news about Jesus? 

5 


13

You change futures 

Your impact: 

fighting leprosy in 

the Pacific region! 

Brothers and sisters cured in Timor Leste 

Four siblings, Lidia, Manuel, Liliana 

and Frederico, all knew something 

was wrong with them. 

“When we had skin patches we 

knew we had a disease but we 

didn’t know what it was... when 

The Leprosy Mission health workers 

came to our house they told us we 

had leprosy and gave us Multi-Drug 

Therapy,” says Lidia. 

Lidia is now studying to fulfil 

her ambition to be a teacher. It’s 

very likely this dream would be 

impossible if leprosy had led to 

clawed hands. She would be left 

unable to hold a pen or use chalk 

on a blackboard. And her younger 

siblings may have been forced 

to drop out of school or suffered 

disability. 

Lidia has a special message for 

Australian supporters. 

“Thank you very much for your help. 

Because of your support, people 

affected by leprosy get attention!” 

Thanks to you, so many in Timor 

Leste have been found, diagnosed 

and treated. Mothers, fathers, 

grandparents, children... thank you 

again for fighting leprosy in each 

generation! 

Thank you for helping 

people like Akifah! 

Remember Akifah from the Easter 

2018 appeal? Thank you to everyone 

who donated to help those like her 

affected by leprosy. They’re now 

getting the life-changing treatment 

they need. 

Thank you too for sending cards 

of encouragement. Here are some 

photos of the people you blessed! 

Jesus loves 

you very 

much. 

Margaret 

Thanks to you, 

siblings Lidia, 

Frederico, 

Liliana and 

Manuel received 

their leprosy 

cures... and your 

encouragement 

cards! 

Thinking of you! With love 

and prayers, Christine 

I hope you will be better 

soon. With love from Dallas 

Finsbury Green – helping to defeat leprosy in PNG – thank you! 

Blessings to a family-owned business, 

Finsbury Green, for generously 

providing and shipping thousands 

of the PNG version of the booklet 

Leprosy: What You Need To Know for 

distribution in Papua New Guinea. 

The booklets will be used to raise 

awareness of leprosy as part of the 

ministry in Papua New Guinea. 

The number of leprosy cases in this 

country is rising fast and 25% of 

all new patients are children. 

Therefore, these booklets are vital to 

educate communities about the signs 

and symptoms of leprosy. This means 

more children and their families can 

be diagnosed earlier and receive 

treatment sooner. So they’re far less 

likely to end up with deformities or 

permanent disabilities! 

We want to acknowledge the 

generosity of Finsbury Green 

(www.finsbury.com.au). With their 

help, our field workers can reach 

more people with the message that 

leprosy is curable and treatable. 

They’re making a significant 

contribution to the work of fighting 

leprosy. A big thank you! 


Cure One today! 

YES! I will Cure 

One like Niran! 

I want to experience the joy of giving Niran a 

Cure, Care and Restore journey of healing. 

• I will Cure one person from leprosy with 

a year-long course of Multi-Drug Therapy 

• I will Care for nerve damaged limbs and 

other after effects of leprosy 

• I will Restore a person to independence 

and their community. 

Your compassion 

will help Cure 

One like Niran 

who has nerve 

damage to his 

eye and hands 

from leprosy. 

God bless you 

I will commit to: (please tick) 

$36 a month for 12 months to Cure One! $432 upfront payment for the year 

$72 a month for 12 months to Cure Two! $36 a month ongoing to cure more 

Sorry! I cannot commit to Cure One. But please accept my once-off gift of $ 

to help cure someone like Niran today! 

My contact details: PLEASE USE BLOCK LETTERS 

Mr Mrs Ms Miss Name: _________________________________________________________ 

FIRST NAME 

LAST NAME 

Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________ 

Suburb: ________________________________________ P/code ______________ State: _______________ 

Phone: ( _____ ) _____________________ Email: ________________________________________________ 

My payment details: 

(please choose between Credit Card and Direct Debit for regular monthly gifts and once off / upfront payments) 

Cheque / Money Order (My once off / upfront donation) payable to The Leprosy Mission Australia 

Credit Card (My regular gift processed on 1st 8th 15th 22nd of the month) 

Please charge my regular gift or my once off / upfront payment to: 

Card Number: 

Name on Card: 

Signature: Expiry Date: / 

Send back your completed form: 

Please mail to The Leprosy Mission Australia, Reply Paid 83988, Box Hill, VIC 3128. 

Do you want to make your monthly gift via direct debit? 

For a direct debit form, please go to www.cureone.org.au or call us on 

1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) and we’ll email or post you one! 

Thank you for your commitment to 

Cure One today for zero leprosy in the future!

Other ways you can 

take ACTION! 

Even if you can’t commit to Cure One (see page 15), you can still touch the lives of people affected by 

leprosy through The Leprosy Mission’s healing ministry. 

Tick the areas that interest you below and send it back to us. 

I would like to GIVE FINANCIALLY: 

1 

2 

3 

My regular gift of $__________________ 

to help leprosy-affected people receive the 

long-term care they need to beat the disease! 

Monthly Quarterly Annually 

I would like to PARTNER IN PRAYER: 

Please send me your monthly prayer newsletter Keeping in Touch (KIT) 

via Post Email Email address: 

Please send me the Ask 2019 Prayer Diary – international prayer guide 

Please send me: 

Cure One Gift Catalogue – I want to shop from the Fair Trade catalogue 

Cuppa for a Cure – A host pack 

Gift in Will – The guide How to include The Leprosy Mission Australia in my Will 

Volunteer application information – How can I become a volunteer? Please contact me to discuss. 

4 My Contact Details: Mr Mrs Ms Miss 

First Name 

Surname 

Address 

Suburb 

State P/code Phone ( ) 

Email 

I enclose my Cheque / Money Order payable to The Leprosy Mission Australia 

Please charge my Credit Card: 

(My regular gift processed on 1st 8th 15th 22nd of the month) 

Card Number: 

Name on Card: 

My one-off gift of 

$__________________ 

to help people affected 

by leprosy and disability! 

Signature: Expiry Date: / 

Direct Deposit / Online Banking: 

The Leprosy Mission Overseas Relief Fund account: BSB: 013225 No: 297114729 

In the reference field enter: SURNAME 19ACTIONA 

Please email notification of payment to: hello@leprosymission.org.au 

Cure One today – 

please complete the 

form on page 15 

(over page) 

Thank you. We are so truly blessed to have supporters like you... whether you commit to 

Cure One or give to this ministry in other ways. Please return this entire donation slip, with your gift, 

in the Tear-off Reply Paid Envelope in the centre pages. Donations $2 and over are tax deductible. 

The Leprosy Mission Australia ABN 52 354 004 543 Privacy Statement — Your personal details will be 

stored on our secure database and will not be passed onto a third party. See www.leprosymission.org.au 

OR 

TEAR ALONG HERE, INSERT THE COMPLETED COUPON WITH YOUR GIFT INTO THE ENVELOPE LOCATED IN THE CENTRESPREAD AND RETURN IT TODAY

ACTION Magazine 2019 A

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