KIT Blog

This is the painful choice Eddie had to make. He is a hardworking father of four children in Papua New Guinea.

One day, Eddie noticed he was losing sensation in his hands and feet. Then there was a sore on the bottom of his foot that wouldn’t heal.

It didn’t hurt so Eddie continued working on his farm to provide for his family.

When the ulcer got worse, he saw a doctor.  Eddie was left stunned when he found out he had leprosy. He suffered a leprosy reaction when he began Multi Drug Therapy. Eddie was in pain “like his body was on fire”, preventing him from working. No income meant he could no longer afford his children’s school fees.

Now Eddie made a tough choice. As a loving father, he chose to stop treatment so he could get back to work sooner and give his children an education. The consequences for him – and his family – were tragic.

Eddie’s leprosy symptoms got steadily worse. Sores on both hands and both feet.  He completely lost feeling in one hand… exposing him to further disability as he could not feel any injuries that might occur. His ability to work has declined… and with it his capacity to pay his children’s school fees. He tried to adapt, turning to fishing. But overworking barefoot has further infected his ulcers.

“I want to finish building my canoe so I can fish and support my family… so please continue to support us.”

So imagine his delight when he learned The Leprosy Mission will run livelihood training in his village. This means leprosy-affected people like this diligent, hardworking dad can generate
income in different ways.

Eddie hopes to learn new skills and get a loan to help him catch ‘bigger fish’.