Dignity Enhancement for People Living with Leprosy in Thailand (DEPT)

Project Number: 22-0510-05

Project duration: 2006-2010

Project Holder: Buelah Land Service (BLS)

BLS, known as Chanthamit in Thai, was initiated in 1986 by Kanchana Kongsuebchart, M.D., from the inspiration of and with assistance from the late Izaku Fujiwara, the chairman of the Kozensha Foundation for leprosy patients in Japan.  The objectives of the program are to show love and true friendship to leprosy patients, their families, and leprosy workers in 14 government colonies. They work in cooperation with government and private organizations. BLS helps by supporting patients and their families to live a normal, happy life according to Jesus’ teachings. They also help patients and ordinary people to understand leprosy and have good relationships with each other. BLS has an educational program to support the children of people living with leprosy. In addition, vocational development is provided in order to increase food sources and income of leprosy patients. Patients’ dignity, which results from project implementation, is the ultimate goal.

Project Profile:

In Thailand, people living with leprosy are one of the poorest groups due to lack of resources. They also face a high level of discrimination. Dignity Enhancement for People Living with Leprosy in Thailand (DEPT Project) will provide 170 families living with leprosy in north, northeast, east, and south Thailand with 20 cows, 300 pigs, 300 chickens, 10,000 fish, 1,500 kilograms of crop seed, 100 kitchen gardens, and agricultural supplies such as fertilizers, animal feed, etc. Appropriate training will be provided and three savings groups will be formed. A study tour and workshop will be conducted to build up the skill level and spirit of 900 people. By 2010, the project families will have sustainable food and income sources, and live life with dignity. Heifer Thailand will work with Beulah Land Services to implement this project in nine colonies.

Project areas: 9 leper colonies in north and northeast of Thailand

Local Conditions:

There are about 10,000 people living in 14 leper colonies in Thailand. Of these people, 2,916 have leprosy and more than 7,000 are family members.  Leprosy rates currently stand at 51.06% in the northeast, 20.50% in central Thailand, 15.31% in the north, and 13.13% in the south (source: Department of Disease Control, August 2005). Colonies are isolated from the outside world. Each patient receives a stipend of 45 baht (US$1) per day from the government. Many of them beg in the cities.

In fact, most members have a small plot of land to raise livestock and grow crops but lack capital to purchase livestock and the knowledge to make effective use of their land. To enhance their dignity, career development needs to be supported. Since those living and affected with leprosy depend on the agricultural sector, support will be provided for agricultural activities including livestock raising, kitchen garden, plantations, and so on. Capacity building activities such as animal management and feed preservation will also be provided. BLS and farmers will be trained in project planning and management to ensure the efficiency and effectiveness of the program.

Another prominent problem is that people living with leprosy and their relatives do not have a stable funding source for agricultural production. They don’t have enough equity to apply for funding from commercial banks. Therefore, they borrow money from other financial sources, including loan sharks. Incurred debt at high interest rates forces the farmers to migrate to cities to find low-paying jobs. This project will set up a savings group in each of the following three colonies: Phud Hong, Amnartcharoen, and Mae Tha. Savings group and group management training will be provided to 150 members.

Opportunities for Assistance:

This project aims to focus on both the economic and spiritual aspects of the groups. Even though leprosy is curable, people living with leprosy still suffer serious discrimination and isolation. This will be addressed by annual group meetings and patient exchanges both within and between colonies.  These meetings and exchanges are expected to boost morale and facilitate discussions on topics including religion, career, and healthcare. It will also create fellowship opportunities among children through a youth camp. 

DEPT Project will impact 170 families living with leprosy through livestock, agriculture, and savings group activities in 9 leper colonies (Mae Ta, Non Som Boon, Selapoom, Amnartcharoen, Ban Han, Prasart, Prang Kha Yang, Dong Tab, and Phud Hong). The study tours and group meetings will be organized for 750 people. Expected results include building the self-esteem and dignity of beneficiaries and strengthening the community, helping to mitigate outside prejudice.

Project Goal:

Participating communities have sustainable livelihood and live a life with dignity

Objectives:

• To increase family income by 20% through livestock raising and integrated agriculture
• To form saving groups in Phud Hong, Amnartcharoen, and Mae Tha colonies
• To increase capacity and enhanced their spirit through a workshop and study tour which relate to value-based planning and management, experience exchange, and spirituality

 Passing on the Gifts:

In some communities for animals, such as cattle and buffalo, participating families will pass on the second offspring and the original animal to the project after the third offspring is weaned.  Alternatively, the families may pass on the original animal to the group after the first offspring is weaned.  The family will then keep the offspring.      

Some families will receive micro-credit loans to purchase animals, seeds, and other agricultural supplies. They will pass on their loans with a modest interest rate determined by the group or local market.  Selected model farmers will develop their farms as demonstration farms to pass on their knowledge and skills to other farmers. The micro-credit fund will be handled by local community.

Funding source: Heifer Project International