Real Lives

This year, TLM’s theme is our JUST CAUSE.  Below you can read about how we are acting out our commitment to bring healing and justice into the lives of real people, individuals affected by leprosy everyday.

Mohanta

Mohanta Sakuntala has a shy smile and nervous eyes. When she speaks she looks at the floor. Her timidity is not surprising when you consider some of the things she's had to deal with - discovering she had leprosy two years into her marriage, a husband who threw her out of their home when he found out, and friends who deserted her in her time of need.

She received treatment for her leprosy at TLM's Purulia hospital, including reconstructive surgery on her hands which had become clawed. When staff there found out what had happened with her husband they told her about TLM's Vocational Training Centre (VTC) at Bankura, encouraging her to learn a trade so that she could become independent. She decided to learn dress making.

At the end of her course TLM gave her a loan of a sewing machine; she set up her own business and began to sell her dresses. Then she wanted to develop her business. TLM arranged for her to have training in embroidery at Vizianagaram VTC. Here, she was also able to make a small living by selling some of her dresses locally. Now, she is much more hopeful about the future. "I have more confidence that I can live alone and earn wages," she says shyly, but happily.

As a woman she doesn't have much status in Indian society, but now she can be independent and overcome the barriers caused by leprosy and the rejection of her family and friends.

TLM Scotland has long term agreement with Purulia Hospital and Bankura VTC for people in Scotland to support their vital work for many years to come.