Leprosy goes to church – and then everywhere else

The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLM) has teamed up with a Catholic laity group to bring awareness about leprosy into public focus by bringing the disease back to church. TLM’s collaboration with St Vincent de Paul, a Catholic group which collects alms on behalf of the poor and less- privileged, is also to help raise funds […]

The Leprosy Mission Nigeria (TLM) has teamed up with a Catholic laity group to bring awareness about leprosy into public focus by bringing the disease back to church.
TLM’s collaboration with St Vincent de Paul, a Catholic group which collects alms on behalf of the poor and less- privileged, is also to help raise funds for the upkeep of people affected or living with leprosy.
Both groups launched their partnership at Abuja’s Pro-Cathedral Church Area 3, Garki and are using the force of celebrity and a newly released movie ‘Don’t Cry for Barbra’ to drive the campaign.
Artiste Chika Okpala, aka Zebrudaya, unveiled this year as national ambassador for leprosy, is also part of the push for better lives for people living with the condition.
He told the church congregation that misconception about the disease put those living with it at the receiving end of scorn and stigma.
“They are the people we don’t want to come close to our cars when we travel along highways. We wind up our windows before they even get close, just because they want to ask for alms,” Okpala said.
“There is so much ignorance about it. We believe that when we raise funds, we can use the funds to assist them,” said Dr. Shem Nuhu, former deputy governor of Niger State and chairman of TLM Nigeria. “They are the poorest of the poor.”
Moses Onoh, coordinator of TLM Nigeria, said leprosy is beyond the disease: “There are social issues in leprosy that have to do with poverty.  We are intending to expand as much as possible to reach as many people as possible.”
The partnership is looking to move into other churches and religions as well as use National Union of Road Transport Workers.