A Story From Sudan
This is Seed’s first chance to work within Sudan and build relationships with partner organizations and leprosy affected communities. It is a real honour to work with these people, who have taken such an ownership in the project and are very interested in learning more about health education and ways they can protect against diseases such as leprosy, HIV/AIDS, and diarrhoea. Deprived of the medical care, education, and government infrastructure so often taken for granted in developed countries, these people have had to manage the best they can on their own. They have shown an incredible willingness to do all they can to help change their situation, forming a Housing and Water Committee and providing food for builders.

Born To Lead
Seed programmes have made a huge difference to Fikirte, who was born and raised in Tesfe Hiwot, an isolated desert area where her parents were sent by the government because they had leprosy. Fikirte is married, and she has a daughter and a son. She is a member of the Tesfe Hiwot branch of ENAELP and is Treasurer of her women’s group. She took out a loan to buy 3 goats which the family is fattening. Her kids take it in turns to look after the goats each day and find food for them, and that can be a long trek there and back. This Seed programme in Tesfe Hiwot has shown Fikirte to be a real leader among the women. She appreciated the training the project had given to her to undertake the role of Treasurer, and wants more opportunities for women to become decision makers in ENAELP. She said that there are a lot of cultural pressures for the women to deal with and believes the women should be allowed to take equal responsibility with the men.

Fighting Stigma In Five Villages
Students held an Awareness Rally in five villages in the Faizabad District. Accompanied by instructors and volunteers, the students were divided into five groups and went into the villages carrying signs with different slogans about leprosy. They shouted catchphrases, distributed leaflets, and pasted up wall posters. The village people gathered in a central place and group discussions were held about leprosy followed by a question-and-answer session. The Superintendent and the Principal were also present during the group discussions and helped to answer the villager’s queries. It was a very successful campaign and a rewarding experience for the students and staff.