Impact Stories

How does one survive destitution and discrimination at the same time? Zakir, a 13-year-old boy from a village in Barabanki district of Uttar Pradesh, knows it well. His world came crashing down in early 2021, when he was first diagnosed with leprosy at The Leprosy Mission Hospital Barabanki, long after other doctors near his village failed to do a correct diagnosis.

Being diagnosed with leprosy was not the end, but the beginning of another problem: despite the family’s best efforts at keeping Zakir’s medical condition a secret due to fear of stigma and discrimination, the villagers came to know about it and shunned the family. “Because of leprosy, my friends stopped talking to me and started behaving like strangers,” recollects Zakir. This feeling of being unwanted discouraged him from attending school, but this was not the only challenge.

Zakir comes from a poor family of seven members, including his father—who sells bracelet—and mother—who works as a labourer in agricultural farms. His family suffered financial setback due to the lockdown announced during the second wave of COVID-19. His parents were not even able to feed their five children, including Zakir. Under such circumstances, continuing education seemed a distant dream. Meanwhile, CUFA project came to know about Zakir, reached out to his family and assessed the situation.

After counselling Zakir’s family, the project staff made nearby communities aware of leprosy and related stigma. Simultaneously, it provided scholarship to Zakir under its award program so that he can continue his education, which had stopped due to leprosy and COVID-19 lockdown.

Almost a year into his leprosy treatment, Zakir is now gradually healing and studying well. He will soon be cured of leprosy. He feels a sense of gratitude and purpose in life. “There was a time when we thought that no one would help us, but after the CUFA team approached us, we felt hopeful. I am happy because I can study again and able to connect with my friends. They now know that my disease is completely curable, and I am not a threat to them.”