Lepra FREE-project

The FREE-project in Bangladesh

Leprosy is a disease that affects hundreds of thousands of people each year and has shattered the lives of millions. The disease has dire consequences as people are isolated and are falling into extreme poverty. Among other places, this has happened in the poor regions of Northwest Bangladesh. The people living here have been disproportionally affected by the Coronavirus. The reserves they still had have been exhausted to survive the lockdown. Despite this, Leprosy Mission Bangladesh has identified possibilities to assist people in becoming self-reliant. In the FREE project, Leprosy Mission supports the poorest people through innovative means in collaboration with local partners.

Two key elements
The FREE project stands for the Facilitation of Rights, Entitlements, and Empowerment. The project has two key elements:

1. Awareness and involvement of local leaders and influential people. Leprosy Mission makes local leaders aware of the needs of people affected with leprosy and of their responsibility towards this vulnerable group. In addition, local support groups are established to support individual

2. Improved self-reliance of self-help groups. An important component of the project is to set up self-help groups. These groups, consisting of 10-15 individuals, work together on economic and social independence of its members. They do this by saving money together, starting businesses, and by supporting each other in times of need.

“The FREE project is an innovative one and designed to ensure access of distressed people to the government services through advocacy by The Leprosy Mission Bangladesh. The FREE project helps people to become self-sustainable through self-help groups and economic activities.” – Mr. Jiptha Boiragee, programme support coordinator

Access to Government support
An innovative component of this project is that Leprosy Mission is not only focused on directly supporting the self-help groups, but also looks for external possibilities to support these groups. For example, the groups are assisted in utilizing existing government arrangements, such as agricultural training, loans, seeds, etc. It is often difficult for the poor to get access to such arrangements, but access can be obtained through a self-help group and more awareness by the government and communities. As a result of this, the poorest families receive agricultural, economic, and social support.

Within the project there is close cooperation with SHALOM, the relief organization of the Church of Bangladesh. This Christian organization strives to show the love of Christ through its work.

Impact
The project allows Leprosy Mission to reach 600 families and 1800 people with a disability and leprosy directly and provides a new opportunity for these people to become self-reliant. Moreover, Leprosy Mission Bangladesh aims to reach 800 local leaders and influential individuals to get them involved in aiding the most vulnerable.

Funding
The project is funded with a € 103.000 donation, which was realized by MissionInvest in November 2020.

Reference
‘There has been effective collaboration and coordination with MissionInvest throughout the entire funding process. This was experienced as highly positive by us as Leprosy Mission as well as our partners in the field. The recommendations and questions of Wim have helped to develop a better vision of the project, its aims, and its approach. This will certainly contribute to achieving the desired impact on the most vulnerable.’ – Klaas Evers, Leprosy Mission