KIT Blog

Prabhu used to think that being a person with a disability meant he should stay inside the house and be dependent on his family. But through the PARTI project, his “life is transformed”.

“For so many years, …I felt so useless and helpless. People used to call me useless too…”

Prabhu shared that the very day before The Leprosy Mission worker visited his village and began the project, he contemplated ending his life.

But praise God for His intervention! The next day, The Leprosy Mission worker told Prabhu he had rights and entitlements. “He told me that I was a human being regardless of what others thought of me… I realised then that things could be changing for the better.”

Prabhu became the head of the Information Centre, which is a hub for the project and provides information about the rights of people affected by leprosy and disability to everyone.

“It has totally changed my life. Now, I am a very influential person in this village. My family didn’t listen to me but now I am considered the oldest sibling with the traditional decision-making role and my younger brother gives me more respect.”

Prabhu has built up contacts and rapport with government officials, so he’s able to advocate for support. They recently approached him because there is an election coming up, and he was able to give a list of people who have disabilities, so they could ensure voting is accessible to them.

“…being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” — Phillipians 1:6

He also successfully lobbied for 17 sewing machines for local people. His confidence has grown in ‘leaps and bounds’ and so has his heart for others:

“I want to develop others like me who used to feel the way I did so they can access their rights too”, he said.

Prabhu also helped to run a leprosy screening camp in his village which resulted in five people being diagnosed and referred for treatment.

Praise God for Prabhu and his group and the early detection of these leprosy patients! The proactive work Prabhu and his group members are doing may prevent these villagers from developing a disability due to leprosy.

Thank you for your support.

To further empower people affected by leprosy and disability in India, please donate by calling 1800 LEPROSY (1800 537 767) or donate online.

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