In the Moulvibazar district of Bangladesh, Abington works tirelessly as a farmer to support his wife and two young sons, dreaming of a brighter future for them. But behind his strength, he was hiding a serious decline in his health, with painful ulcers on his feet, and worsening infections that wouldn’t heal.
Like many in his village, he turned to traditional healers known as Kobiraj, spending what little he had in search of treatment. For six long years, he endured the pain in silence, determined to keep working for his family.
That changed in December 2024, when healthcare workers from Lepra’s Proyash project, in partnership with the Juri Upazila Health Centre, visited his village. After nearly a decade living with poor health, Abington was finally diagnosed with leprosy and began a 12-month course of multidrug therapy.
The diagnosis brought stigma. His family faced exclusion and his children became withdrawn. But Lepra’s outreach team stepped in, offering emotional support and leading awareness events to educate the community about leprosy, its causes, and the importance of early treatment.
With self-care guidance, Abington’s wounds began to heal. Though his mobility remains limited, he now speaks openly about his condition and encourages others not to remain silent.
If you see a problem, don’t ignore it. Get help. Some good people can save you time and pain.
His wife and sons support him, managing the small farm together.
We work hard, even when we have very little. I just ask that the government and organisations like Lepra continue helping families like mine. Not just with medicine, but with support to keep our homes running.
Abington's resilience is a powerful reminder: even in the most remote areas, hope can flourish - especially when met with compassion, awareness, and timely intervention.