Ten-year-old Radhika was recently diagnosed with leprosy. When her family found out, they got her to a dilapidated leprosy hospital on the border of India and Nepal. She took the required medications for recovery but was afraid that if she went back to her village and family, she would be unaccepted or even killed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 250,000 people around the world are diagnosed with leprosy. Leprosy is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium leprae and primarily affects the skin, nerves, and mucous membranes. While it can lead to serious complications if left untreated, early intervention with antibiotics can completely cure it.
Despite being curable, those affected by leprosy frequently face social exclusion and economic hardship. Organizations like Rising Star Outreach strive to change that—providing medical care, education, and empowerment to those in need.
Rising Star Outreach is a non-profit company that has worked since 2001 to empower individuals and families to rise above the stigma associated with leprosy. They encourage and help those affected by leprosy to live healthy, productive lives through quality education, medical care, and community development.
Because of Rising Star Outreach, doors have been opened for Radhika and many other people impacted by leprosy where they can study and create a future.
An inspiring success story comes from a young woman, Theerthi, who grew up in a leprosy colony. Facing discrimination and limited opportunities, she refused to let her circumstances define her future.
She was raised by “adoptive” parents who are also leprosy survivors. Through the love and support of her parents and Rising Star Outreach, she pursued an education and is now on her way to becoming a nurse.
Her journey exemplifies the power of education and community support.
“Becoming a nurse for me is simply not a job or career choice for me, but a calling,” Theerthi said. “I am determined to be the best nurse I can be, to be a person of assurance for the patients, to be confident in my skills and abilities to help the patient, and most importantly, to be the patient’s advocate and champion for their health and well-being during a time when they cannot do it for themselves.”
Brett Caywood, president of Rising Star Outreach, is grateful for the opportunity he has to work with people affected by leprosy.
“It has changed my perspective on everything,” Caywood said.
He originally heard about Rising Star Outreach when he was in college, and immediately knew he had to get involved. It pulled him in like nothing else had, and his passion for helping individuals and families impacted by leprosy only grew.
“People affected by leprosy have had almost everything taken from them: their health, family, friends, opportunities, and even their sense of self,” Caywood said. “And somehow they move on from this loss with a sense of perspective and inner peace that inspires me and others. I want to be more like that.”
There are opportunities for everyone to help. Rising Star Outreach believes that anyone can play a role in breaking the cycle of poverty and the stigma associated with leprosy.
For just $1 a day, people can sponsor a child through Rising Star Outreach’s STARS program.
This helps provide education and also fosters meaningful friendships and cultural exchanges. Sponsors can be pen-pals or engage in video chats with the students they are helping. They can receive updates on their students, witnessing firsthand the transformation that their support makes possible.
Additionally, following and engaging with Rising Star Outreach on social media platforms is a simple yet powerful way to spread awareness. By sharing posts and stories, individuals can help challenge the misconceptions surrounding leprosy and highlight the resilience of those affected.
There are also opportunities for individuals to travel to India with Rising Star Outreach to help on a first-hand account.
The fight against leprosy is not just about eradicating a disease—it’s about restoring hope, dignity, and opportunity. Through medical intervention, education, and community engagement, Rising Star Outreach continues to transform lives.
Mahatma Gandhi once said, “If you can transform the life of a patient or change his values of life, you can change the village and the country.”
