International Network

I am Basanta; I am 27 years old. I was born in a rural area of Nepal, about 400 km from Pokhara. When I was eight years old, symptoms of leprosy first appeared on my skin. Because of widespread discrimination where I lived, I was ostracized in my village and in my school, when villagers found out I had leprosy. My parents kept me home to protect me.
My uncle, who worked in a government hospital, took me to Green Pastures Hospital in Pokhara. By then, my left hand and left leg were affected. While I was being treated, I met Parbati Oli, a member of IDEA Nepal, who was a nurse in the hospital. I was fascinated by Parbati’s work, and told her that I wanted to be a nurse like her, and take care of people who are ill. I told Parbati though, that my family couldn’t afford to send me to school. Parbati then decided to help me in my studies. She, along with help from IDEA Nepal and IDEA Japan, supported me to go to school.
After completing my S.L.C. (School Leaving Certificate), I wanted to study nursing, but due to poor physical health, I couldn’t become a staff nurse. I still pursued my dream of helping people who are ill, by studying to become a health assistant. I completed my studies earning high grades, and am now working as a health assistant at a hospital in Pokhara. I am married and have a four-year-old daughter.
I am thankful to IDEA Nepal, IDEA Japan and the IDEA global network. I would never have been able to study without their support. My life has totally changed.
photo: Basanta with her husband and daughter.

Over 16 million people have been cured of Hansen’s disease/leprosy over the last 20 years. As individuals move from diagnosis through cure to life afterwards, they often need support to return to a productive life, fully included in society. Being part of a Network, is an integral way to ensure support is there when needed. IDEA’s approach is holistic—looking at the whole person through the lens of rights, rights related to health care, psychological well-being, education, marriage, voting, religious practices, housing and employment. It encompasses individuals’ families and their communities, with a focus on those facing challenges to regain their rightful place in society.

People who have experienced Hansen’s disease/leprosy are central to the development of IDEA’s Network. This Network is a grass roots effort, working in the context of local communities. When the Network is first introduced to a new region, IDEA works with local organizations to identify a potential leader to facilitate the Network there. These leaders then build a local Network and frequently establish an organization—often under the name of IDEA—to identify and respond to local needs. In some communities where an organization already exists, the organization decides to join IDEA’s Network.

Local leaders and the organizations they build are composed of volunteers, working tirelessly in their communities as advocates. Throughout this process, IDEA’s international office is a resource, linking people locally and internationally; strategizing on concept development; consulting on a human rights approach; and providing guidance with proposal writing and where possible funding resources.

[Left] IDEA Eversley Philippines officers and members signing Memorandum of Agreement with local school to provide two sacks of rice per month to augment the school’s daily feeding program. The school identified about 220 students, classified as undernourished, so much so that their school performance was affected. Many of these students’ parents were treated for Hansen’s disease/leprosy at Eversley, and do not have enough resources to meet their children’s daily food requirements.
Angeline Rivera-Transporte, President, [standing, right of desk]; Jose Carredo, Vice President [seated]; Criselda Cueva, a teacher [right, front]. This program is in collaboration with IDEA Korea.

IDEA’s Network welcomes the involvement of all interested individuals and organizations, within and beyond the field of Hansen’s disease/leprosy.