A heart touched by you! Thank you!

Just 17, Rajesweri is one of the students studying electrical engineering at your Vocational Training Centre (VTC) in India. Thanks to people like you!

She is excited to have this opportunity as she has big dreams for her future: “I chose the electrical engineering course, as I knew there could be some good opportunities for me to pursue a career with the government when I qualify,” Rajesweri said.

But before starting at the VTC a year ago, Rajesweri had suffered years of heartache in her young life – from the day she first saw patches developing on her skin… “My right hand began clawing and it became painful when I wrote,” Rajesweri said.

A correct diagnosis of leprosy finally came through The Leprosy Mission’s Vadathorasalur Hospital. Rajesweri started Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) straight away.

“When I went home and told my mother I had leprosy – she said it was because of my bad behavior that I got leprosy,” she said.

At the same time, Rajesweri was being paired to marry to a young man from her village. But when his family saw she had developed patches on her face due to leprosy:

“They said they would rather have their son marry my younger sister instead,” she told us.

But all these things did not stop this determined young woman. With a little encouragement from her father (who admitted that he had leprosy in the past), Rajesweri applied to study at the VTC in Vadathorasalur.

“I now want to finish my studies and get a good job first before I consider marriage,” she says.

Rajesweri has also received physiotherapy and self-care training. The clawing of her hands has reduced considerably. Her family also received counselling. “Now my mother is understanding of leprosy and knows that it is not a curse,” she said. All thanks to people like you!

“After getting leprosy, I never thought I would get an opportunity to study. Thanks to supporters like you, this has been possible. I thank you from the bottom of my heart!” – Rajesweri

If you’d like to give a Gift of Love of Vocational Training to someone like Rajesweri, go to: leprosymission.org.au/product/vocational-training/ or phone FREECALL 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767)