Lepra – College on Wheels 2

College on Wheels – Education for Vulnerable Women

Every year, 120,000 people in India are diagnosed with leprosy, making it the country with the highest number of infections worldwide. Due to high population density, poverty, and poor hygiene, many people are at increased risk. On top of that, a deep social stigma surrounds leprosy: people affected by the disease often face discrimination and social exclusion.

In Tamil Nadu, leprosy remains prevalent, especially among poor rural families. Many villages are remote and difficult to reach, with no access to education. This situation particularly affects women, who are often not allowed to travel outside their village on their own. As a result, they cannot attend school, have limited education, and are unable to achieve economic independence. Women affected by leprosy or a disability face additional exclusion due to the stigma attached to their condition. This social isolation often keeps entire families trapped in poverty.

Local Partner
Our local partner, The Leprosy Mission India, is a Christian organization that has supported people affected by leprosy since 1874. With a network of 15 specialized hospitals, they provide healthcare and rehabilitation services, combat discrimination, and improve the living conditions of people affected by leprosy.
MissionInvest financed its first project, College on Wheels, in 2021. This project was highly successful and had a positive impact on the local communities. Therefore, MissionInvest has decided to once again contribute to the financing of the follow-up project.

What Does College on Wheels Do?
The College on Wheels project brings vocational training to women in remote villages through a mobile training unit. A specially equipped bus travels to these villages, providing on-site training materials, medical care, and awareness sessions.
Women can choose from a range of certified courses, from tailoring to food processing, developed and delivered in partnership with accredited organizations. After completing a three-month training program, participants receive support to find a job or start their own small businesses.

Thanks to the high quality of the training and the extensive local network of The Leprosy Mission India, many women quickly find decent jobs. Self-help groups are also formed, enabling women to continue supporting each other socially and economically.

Case Story – A New Future for Anandhi
When Anandhi was seven years old, she contracted leprosy and was sent to the leprosy colony in Bethesthapuram, where she still lives today. There, she married her husband, who later also got infected with leprosy and lost his eyesight, leaving him unable to work. With no source of income, the couple depended entirely on donations and charity.

This changed when Anandhi joined the College on Wheels program. During a community meeting, she learned that women can become self-reliant and support their families. She took a training course in preparing small snacks such as samosas and began working at a production centre linked to a nearby vocational school. Together with other women, she now makes samosas that are sold in local communities.

College on Wheels transformed Anandhi’s life. Thanks to her new job, she now has a stable income and can take care of her husband. She even earns enough to occasionally treat her grandchildren. Anandhi now looks to the future with confidence. She feels valued again and wants to support other women who join the program.

“People around me see that I go to work every day and earn my own income. I am so grateful to the College on Wheels project and the vocational school for giving me this opportunity and believing in me!” – Anandhi, participant of the College on Wheels project.

Impact
Through the College on Wheels project, 1.400 women affected by leprosy, disability or extreme poverty gain access to education and support, helping them achieve economic independence. The outcomes:

• 1.400 women complete a certified vocational training program.
• 70% finds a job after the training and earns a regular income.
• 980 women open their own savings accounts.
• 1.000 women help decide in household financial matters.
• 80% of the women joins a self-help group.
• 120 villages receive education on leprosy, gender equality and social inclusion.

In the long term, we expect sustainable impact as women become self-reliant and continue to support one another through self-help groups. This creates a lasting social safety net that communities can rely on in times of need. At the same time, the project helps break down stigma and prejudice. Besides, it fosters inclusion and ensures that women gain a respected and equal place in their communities.

The impact extends far beyond the 1.400 direct participants. As these women earn their own income, they can support their families, improve their living conditions, and ensure that their children have access to education and healthcare, breaking the cycle of poverty.

In the first phase of College on Wheels, 70% of participants found employment immediately after completing their training, and 85% joined self-help groups. We expect similar results in this new phase.

Project Costs
For the next three years, the project requires €68.000 each year.
Your contribution makes a direct impact, giving vulnerable women the opportunity to become economically independent and build a on a better future. With €68.000, we enable access to  education, employment, and social support for 1.400 women, while raising awareness in communities about women’s rights and the rights of people affected by leprosy or disability. Together, we can break down stigma and change perceptions.
This year we still need €13.000. In 2026 we need €45.000 and in 2027 the full amount of €68.000 is required.

MissionInvest is very enthusiastic about this project, not only because of the significant impact it has on the local communities, but also because of the holistic approach in which Leprazending combines practical assistance with sharing the Gospel. While this is not possible in all projects, Leprazending strives to carry out its work from this perspective whenever circumstances allow. If you would like to support a project that helps the poorest and most marginalized, and in which the Christian faith is also put into practical action, this is a project we can wholeheartedly recommend.