our projects: china
Where we are, what we do and who partner with...
...IN CHINA
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in China.
Project: Guizhou Province POD
Partner: Guizhou Leprosy Control Program
ALM has been asked by the Guizhou Leprosy Control Program to support POD (Prevention of Disability) rehabilitation efforts in four pilot centers in Guizhou Province. The challenges are great in this program: a relatively high prevalence rate, difficult terrain, problematic communications, and a poor economy. The Guizhou Institute of Dermatology is responsible for the prevention and care of leprosy as well as for scientific research and technical training over the entire province. Under supervision of the Institute are dermatology stations in 87 counties. Two special provincial leprosy hospitals have been built along with 48 county hospitals and one leprosy vocational health school.
Project: Guangdong
Partner: HANDA Rehabilitation and Welfare Association
HANDA, a branch of International Association for Integration, Dignity, and Economic Advancement (IDEA), was established in Guangdong, P.R. China in 1996 as a secular, non-government, and non-profit organization dedicated to working together with the community for comprehensive rehabilitation for people affected by Hansen’s Disease (HD) in physical, social, psychological rehabilitation, education, and poverty alleviation.
HANDA Foot Care (Wound Care)
Guangdong is the most endemic area of leprosy in China. At present, there are more than 26,000 people affected by leprosy in the province, in which, around 3,400 are living in 67 isolated leprosy villages.
Most of the villagers are an average age of above 65 with disabilities due to late detection and treatment. At one time they lived by doing heavy farm work, but lacked a sense of self-care. Years of wounds without proper treatment resulted in serious plantar ulcers, osteomyelitis and cancer, and finally led to amputation. Without suitable prostheses their stumps continued to develop new ulcers.
To raise the leprosy-affected people’s confidence and capacity, the trainings and their positive participation count. Through the self-care training and follow-up interviews, they learn how to take care of themselves and be proud of the change. The project is not merely to provide physical service for the people affected by leprosy, but most importantly, to improve their capability and enable them to take charge of their own lives.
Project: Yunnan Province
Partner: Bless China International
A Christian organization whose work focuses on the needs of the community, BCI provides holistic support for people affected by leprosy in the Yunnan Province in Southwest China. Working with BCI, village doctors are trained, rehabilitation provided, and micro-enterprise activities supported.
Yunnan Province has more than 27,000 known leprosy-affected people. This figure is presently increasing by about 600 each year. Programs for bringing love to people affected by leprosy are now established in five sites. Though the disease is cured by antibiotics in those diagnosed and treated, there are often residual effects of peripheral nerve damage that cause progressive disabilities. Motor deficits, blindness, and chronic troubles with unhealed wounds are quite common. In addition, because of the stigma attached to the disease, many have lost hope for the future and are emotionally depressed and lonely. Our work in Yunnan is to love these wounded souls and help them learn how to protect insensitive eyes, hands and feet through awareness and avoidance of risks. Protective gloves and shoes and modifications to cooking pots provide help to prevent the all-too-common damage to feet and hands.
Dr. Hugh Cross, ALM’s POD (Prevention of Disability) Specialist for Asia, has hiked into some of the most remote, inaccessible villages in Guizhou China to visit people with leprosy who are banished to these isolated “prisons.” Instead of bars there are steep mountains and slippery trails lame feet can not manage. They are separated forever from the love of husbands, wives and children. Separated from the schools, villages, and neighbors of their youth…of their memories.
Hugh tells us: The state of people living in these remote Guizhou villages is generally desperate, but I felt particularly moved by the plight of Zhang Wan Qian. He is about 55 years old. He has always lived alone and has no family.
His hands are deformed and his feet have savage ulcers. To cap his plight, he is blind in both eyes. He receives no help from anybody because he is afraid that they may steal his monthly allowance which comprises: 50 kilograms of rice, 1 kilogram of salt, 2 boxes of matches and 2 pieces of soap. He also receives 12 RMB ($1. 25) a month. He must cook for himself; but because he has no sensation, he has badly burned hands. I could see no reason why this man might actually want to be alive. His darkness seems so complete.
Please keep this man in your thoughts and prayers.