THE LEPROSY MISSION'S 125 YEARS OF CARING

THE FIRST ENCOUNTER:- In 1869, Irishman Wellesley Bailey, was teaching in the Punjab, India, when he first became aware of the tragic plight of 'lepers', living as outcasts in colonies: "I almost shuddered, yet I was at the same time fascinated, and I felt, if ever there was a Christ-like work in this world, it was to go among these poor sufferers and bring them the consolation of the Gospel".

A VISION IGNITED:- After labouring tirelessly for several years in a 'leper' colony, Wellesley and his wife, Alice, returned to Dublin for rest in 1873. So fervent was Wellesley's vision, that Alice's friends, the Pim sisters, pledged to raise 30 pounds sterling and Wellesley printed 2000 pamphlets entitled 'Lepers in India' to publicise the work

FINANCIAL SUPPORT:- Back in the Punjab, Wellesley and Alice continued to try to improve the appalling conditions in the colony. Wellesley appealed to his support group in Dublin and, by the end of 1874, more than 500 pounds sterling had been pledged to Wellesley's mission, increasing to 809 pounds sterling in 1875.

A VISION CONFIRMED:- Since Wellesley now had ample funds for his colony, he started giving grants to other missionaries in India who cared for leprosy sufferers. "We felt convinced that the movement was of God, and that it was to develop into something far larger than we had ever thought of. In other words, that God had taken the lead and that we must follow."

THE NAMING CEREMONY :- Wellesley returned briefly to Dublin in 1878, to establish formally his mission which he entitled 'The Mission to Lepers in India'. Due to Alice's ill-health, the Baileys left India in 1882 and based themselves in Edinburgh, from where Wellesley liased with the Dublin committee. In 1886, he was re-elected Secretary and undertook short-term visits to India to supervise the Mission's progress.

LEPROSY - HEADLINE NEWS:- In 1889, the Mission's work had snowballed with 26 assisted stations in India and Ceylon. Finances, however, were stretched. Then, on April 19th. news rang out of the death of Belgian priest Father Damien, who had contracted leprosy whilst caring for sufferers on the Pacific island of Molokai. Awareness of the Mission's work rapidly increased.

EASTERN PROMISE:- As support groups sprang up in Britain, Canada and the U.S.A., the Mission was able to respond to pleas for help from Burma, China and Japan. In 1893, this expansion was recognised in the society's new title - ' The Mission to Lepers in India and the East'.

THE MISSION TO LEPERS:- In 1913, New Zealand and Australian auxiliary groups were raising support and the Mission was assisting with the care of over 14,000 patients in 12 countries. Now a worldwide Mission, the limitless title of 'The Mission to Lepers' was adopted.

THE END OF AN ERA :- In 1917, Wellesley Bailey, aged 71, announced his retirement, although he continued in an honorary capacity until his death in 1937. "I pray that God's abundant blessing may be poured out on this work in the days to come as it has been in the past."

MEDICAL ADVANCES:- In 1873, Norwegian doctor G.H.A. Hansen, had discovered that leprosy was caused by a bacillus - Mycobacterium leprae. No cure was available but later, in the 1920's, oil from the Chaulmoogra tree was found to alleviate some of the discomforts of leprosy. This gave new hope to the Mission to Lepers and the newly formed American Mission to Lepers, that a drug could soon be developed to combat leprosy.

INITIAL SUCCESS:- It was heralded a miracle when the drug Dapsone was developed in the 1940's and tested on leprosy patients. Instead of remaining in hospital until their death, many people left, cured. However, jubilation was soon tempered by caution as some patients suffered relapses or developed a resistance to Dapsone.

RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY:- While leprologists, such as Dr. Stanley Browne, continued their research, orthopaedic surgeon, Paul Brand, began a pioneering work to correct the disabilities which arise from neglected leprosy, such as 'claw hand' or 'foot drop'.

NEW OPENINGS:- In 1960, the Mission owned 30 centres in Asia and was aiding 90 Christian missions in over 30 countries. The kingdoms of Nepal and Bhutan, previously closed to foreigners, were soon to embrace the professional help of the Mission.

NO MORE LEPERS:- In order to stress that people should not be branded by their disease, the term 'leper' was dropped in 1962 and The Mission to Lepers changed its title to 'The Leprosy Mission' (TLM).

TACTICAL MANOEUVRES:- In the 1970's s new strategy was deployed to tackle leprosy - SET (Survey, Education, Treatment). Instead of expecting people to come to leprosy clinics, health staff, trained by TLM, would trek to remote villages to find new cases.

A CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION:- A major breakthrough occurred in leprosy treatment in 1982, with the introduction of Multi-Drug-Therapy (MDT). For most people, a six months course of tablets for the milder form of leprosy and two years for the more severe form will cure them of the disease. However, for those who suffer a disabling reaction caused by the build -up of dead bacilli in the body, additional steroid treatment is given.

DRAMATIC PROGRESS:- Due to the success of MDT, the number of people with leprosy has fallen rapidly, from some 15 million in the early 80's to less than 2 million in 1999. Currently, TLM has 2,300m field staff working in over 30 countries. The World Health Organisation wishes to see leprosy brought under control as a public health problem by the year 2000 and, thanks to the prayers and financial generosity of supporters, throughout the world, TLM staff have been striving to find and treat as many people as possible.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED ? :- No. There are an estimated 4 million people left disabled by leprosy who need help. As well as continuing to treat newly diagnosed cases, TLM will step up Prevention of Disability (POD) work and reconstructive surgery. Rehabilitation schemes to help people become financially independent and respected within the community are under-way. More Vocational Training Centres are also being built to help young people, affected by leprosy, to learn a trade and find a job more easily

YOUR GIFT COULD PAY FOR:- Leprosy Control :---- (1) # One person's MDT treatment - $50.oo ; (2) # A day's survey to detect new cases - $75.oo; (3) # Treatment and care for one year - $180.oo ;

Surgery :- ----- (1) # An Eye Operation - $ 60.oo ; (2) # Surgery to correct a 'clawed hand' or 'dropped foot' - $150.oo

Footwear and Prostheses:----- (1) # A pair of protective sandals - $10.oo; (2) # An artificial leg - $110.oo ; (3) # A wheelchair - $ 200.oo

Rehabilitation :---- (1) # Six chickens and feed - $10.oo; (2) # A cow or buffalo - $250.oo; (3) # A sewing machine - $ 280.oo