A wonderful gift of 400 meals was organized by Wendy Nguyen, one of our FDM Directors. Wendy’s lifelong friends and family contributed funds to make this gift possible. 60 leprosy patients live in the village of 300+ people, which includes leprosy patient’s families and children.

The meal known as Bún riêu was warmly received by everyone in the community. This act of kindness reminds people in the remote highlands village they are not forgotten. The central highlands village is located in Hneng, in the Province Gia Lai.

Fight Dog Meat predominately focuses on animals. However we also know the importance of helping people in dire need. Checking in and helping local people in villages like this leper colony, also allows us to check on their dogs and cats.

 

Video: leper patients say thank you for their kind gift:

Leprosy

Leprosy is a contagious disease which leads to damage of the nerves, respiratory tract, skin and eyes. It can result in a lack of ability to feel pain, which can lead to the loss of parts of a person’s extremities from repeated injuries or infection through unnoticed wounds. An infected person may also experience muscle weakness and poor eyesight.

Leprosy is thought to occur through a cough or contact with fluid from the nose of a person infected by leprosy. Genetic factors and immune function play a role in how easily a person catches the disease. It does not spread during pregnancy to the unborn child or through sexual contact. Leprosy occurs more commonly among people living in poverty. Transmission of leprosy is through the upper respiratory tract.

People with leprosy can live with their families and go to school and work. Leprosy has historically been associated with social stigma which continues to be a barrier to self-reporting and early treatment.

The greatest risk factor for developing leprosy is contact with another person infected by leprosy. They’re 5–8 times more likely to develop leprosy than members of the general population.

Conditions that reduce immune function, such as malnutrition, other illnesses, or genetic mutations, may increase the risk of developing leprosy. It occurs more commonly among those living in poverty.

Leprosy is not sexually transmitted and is not spread through pregnancy to the unborn child. Casual contact such as shaking hands and sitting next to someone with leprosy does not lead to transmission.

Because of stigma, leprosy can affect a person’s participation in social activities and affect the lives of family and friends. People with leprosy are at a higher risk for problems with their mental well-being. The social stigma may contribute to problems obtaining employment, financial difficulties, and social isolation. Efforts to reduce discrimination and reduce the stigma surrounding leprosy  may help improve outcomes for people with leprosy.

Fight Dog Meat will continue to bring you reports from dog and cat meat countries and the wonderful work their rescuers are doing despite no animal protection laws. We’re helping local volunteers have a louder voice on a world platform. Ultimately it’s the voice of the country’s own people whom their government will eventually be forced to listen to, for positive change for animals.

Thank you for reading,

Michele Brown
Founder,
Fight Dog Meat.

#Kindness #LeperColony #FightDogMeat