Amar is a person affected by leprosy.
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He was born to a poor family in a remote village – inaccessible by roads and without electricity. When Amar was 10 he noticed pale patches appearing on his body. His health deteriorated. This is often the first sign of leprosy, also known as Hansen’s Disease.
After traditional healers could not help him, Amar was taken to several medical clinics in his district. One physician advised he seek advice at Anandaban Hospital, Kathmandu where leprosy was confirmed.
The expressions on the faces of his parents scared Amar. He thought he was doomed. When he returned from hospital he endured fear and rejection.
His parents would not touch him, his siblings were out of bounds. The wider community forbade him joining any social gatherings. They did not understand that leprosy is freely treatable and once on antibiotics he was no longer infectious. Amar stayed at home, wept and cursed his life. He longed to die.
He returned to Anandaban Hospital after his body reacted to the treatment and there “received great motivations, love and encouragements from the staff. The hospital was the single ray of hope for me.”
The practical supports given by The Leprosy Mission has transformed Amar’s life. He is cured, spiritually restored, educated and has become an advocate for those affected by leprosy.
He is now a school principal, president of IDEA, an organisation of people effected by leprosy. He is on the board of the Leprosy Mission International, and on the advisory panel for ILEP (the International Federation of Anti-Leprosy Associations).
To meet Amar and share lunch at the Baptist Church on Monday, February 12 at 11.30am RSVP to Gordon Hayward 0408 061 708 or Sally Martin 0458 462 922.