The "untouchables," going back to Biblical times, are leprosy victims. We aim to raise money to provide shelter and aid. Leprosy is a disease that has been around since Biblical times. It is a much feared, yet much misunderstood illness. The disease affects the skin, eyes, and peripheral nerves. It can cause loss of sensation, paralysis, disfigurement, and blindness when left untreated. Fingers an
d toes of victims become shortened and deformed, often giving the appearance that they have fallen off. Leprosy can be acquired through only very long exposure to the disease and, in some cases, it may remain dormant for 20 years before symptoms start appearing. According to the World Health Organization, about 180,000 people are infected worldwide, and a large majority live in third world countries like India. The disease has caused its victims to be cast out of society. Mothers with the disease are afraid to have their children near them in fear of passing the disease down. Victims are given a steep pay decline from the small amount of money that most of them already make. Most lepers live together in colonies because they're not allowed into civilization. Our goal is to establish a home that is safe and can provide shelter for lepers in India. We are 5 high school students in Jenison, Michigan. We believe that we can make a difference in the world, and we also know, in the words of Mother Teresa, that, "We can do no great things, only small things with great love."
