Homewares, Fashion, Toys, Food, Stationery - Free Shipping on First Order @ The Leprosy Mission

Some of the items for sale are handmade by people recovering from leprosy. According to their FAQs there should be no need to worry about catching leprosy from any items you buy;

Is leprosy contagious?

Yes. Leprosy is mildly contagious. But within 24 -48 hours of starting Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) the patient is no longer infectious and cannot pass the disease on to others.
The Leprosy Mission often also conducts “contract tracing” activities to find the patient’s family members, friends, colleagues who may have been exposed to leprosy, testing them for leprosy and possibly providing then with an anti-leprosy medication (rifampicin) which may help prevent infection.

How do you catch leprosy?

It is thought that leprosy is caught through close direct and prolonged contact with a person infected with leprosy. Most likely through the water droplets of the nose, eyes and mouth (via coughing and sneezing). We are still investigating. That’s why The Leprosy Mission is investing in and conducting research – so we can stop this disease at the cause and make leprosy a thing of the past.

Does leprosy still exist? I thought it was eradicated.

Leprosy still exists. In fact, every two minutes, one person in the world is diagnosed. Some countries claim leprosy has been “eliminated” but this just means the number of cases reported and recorded by their government is under 1 case per every 10,000 people (0.01%). Elimination is not eradication.
This information also relies on cases being reported and recorded accurately. There is evidence to suggestion in India, for example, that there are “millions” of cases “missing” from the official statistics because these people have not been found or treated or recorded.

Who is The Leprosy Mission Australia?

The Leprosy Mission is the largest and oldest leprosy-focused organisation in the world. Since 1874, The Leprosy Mission has provided holistic support to people affected by leprosy throughout the world. We seek to break the chains of leprosy, empowering people to attain healing, dignity, and life in all its fullness.

Do you preach and try and convert people with leprosy and disability?

The Leprosy Mission is a faith-based organisation, whose work and actions are underpinned by a biblical basis. As such, we seek to live out our Christian beliefs through our compassion and care; seeking to offer health, healing and spiritual wholeness to people with leprosy and disability irrespective of race, culture, gender, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, birth or other status.
While some Christian activities like pastoral care and counselling are provided as an integral part of being a faith based organisation, we agree to the guidelines set by the Australian government’s department for international development (DFAT — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) that their funds are not to be used for activities designed to convert people from one religious faith or denomination to another, or from one political persuasion to another and are not to be used to build up church, ecclesiastical or political structure.