Shamol
Shamol, from Bangladesh’s Churkuta Village, in Bogra district, runs a self-help group in his village that promotes financial independence and income generation.
This group was started a year ago. We have saved 7,000 taka (£66) between us and Lepra gave us an extra 20,000 taka (£180). With this money, we provide loans for people in the group.
So far nine out of ten members have had loans for a variety of businesses like goat rearing, small kitchen gardens or starting a local shop.
A lot of people in Shamol's village have leprosy. He himself has been disabled by leprosy and now has trouble walking.
Outside this community there is a lot of prejudice towards us but here I feel happy because I am not alone with leprosy.
The leprosy-affected in the village are the poorest. We get no support from the government.
I make around 6,000 taka (£50) profit per month. My child is sick at the moment with a fractured hip and I have medical costs.
Before I met Lepra I would be out begging with my daughter so we could fix her problem.
Lepra organises a series of self-help groups in Bangladesh. These groups advise people on how to best help themselves with health care and income generation.
You can help set up more self-help groups for people like Shamol.