Nutrition

Since victims of leprosy are isolated by their communities into villages, basic needs are often neglected, including the availability of clean water and food. This not only affects their hunger, but drastically impacts their bodies’ ability to fight the disease. Research has shown that the cause and development of leprosy is in part due to lack of sufficient nutrition, including vitamins A, B, and E, calcium, and zinc. The lack of sufficient nutrition also affects their immune system, as they are often exposed to poor quality drinking water and food, which further weakens their immune systems.

Beginning in 2003, we initiated a Rice Food Pantry which now provides over 30 colonies with half of their monthly ration of rice. Due to recently spikes in the cost of food, colonies, including the victims and their families, are finding it harder and harder to buy good with a severely impoverished budget. Maintaining this program has required more than doubling expenditures over the last two years, and we still have plenty ways to go to provide colonies with adequate nutrition.

In addition to our Rice Food Pantry program, we educate the villagers on how to create sustainable homestead gardens. Not only does this provide some level of wholesome nutrition to their families, but it also decreases the families’ children’s likelihood of having diarrhea and night-blindness.

Other nutritional programs include:
· Cooking instruction
· Hygiene education
· Providing clean water