Brighter Future has taken the initiative to
form SLAP. This is to be a representative body for leprosy patients in the whole of Andhra
Pradesh to look after their interests.
This was followed by the repair of, and the provision of, drinking water wells. Previously there had only been government supplied water two or three days a week. Food grains were provided and funds were raised, from supporters of Brighter Future’s children’s homes, to build new houses to replace the dilapidated and snake infested colony houses.
Pastor Elisha, himself a leprosy sufferer, became our leprosy
project coordinator and organises an advocacy programme with the local district government to secure pensions for leprosy patients, bus passes and ration
cards.
It was at this stage that The Leprosy Mission and the Dewan
Foundation joined Brighter Future to provide housing and microfinance to leprosy
patients.
Brighter Future now covers 5 colonies in the three districts of Vizianagaram, Srikakulam and Visakhapatnam. It is from these districts that 6 members have been invited to the new SLAP committee... Our leprosy co-ordinator, Pastor Elisha, has been elected as Vice President and another 2 members are general body members.
Victor has been elected onto an advisory board of SLAP along with 2 other members
It is sincerely hoped that SLAP will be great platform for the AP leprosy patients to take their voice to the State Government of AP.
