Frequently Asked Questions

The Leprosy Mission Australia

Who is The Leprosy Mission Australia?

The Leprosy Mission is an organisation dedicated to supporting people affected by leprosy around the world. Since its inception in 1874, The Leprosy Mission has been committed to providing holistic support to these individuals, with the goal of empowering them to attain healing, dignity, and a fulfilling life.

While The Leprosy Mission is a faith-based organisation and its work is guided by Christian beliefs, it welcomes and serves people of all races, cultures, genders, ages, and political affiliations. The organisation provides health and healing services, as well as counselling care, but does not seek to convert individuals from one faith or political belief to another. The organisation operates in accordance with the guidelines set by the Australian government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), ensuring that their funds are used solely for the intended purpose of supporting individuals affected by leprosy.

Does leprosy still exist?

Leprosy continues to be a problem worldwide, with one person being diagnosed every two minutes. Although some countries have claimed to have eliminated the disease, this only means that the number of reported cases is under 1 per every 10,000 people. It is important to note that elimination does not equate to eradication. Furthermore, accurate reporting and recording of cases can be a challenge, with evidence suggesting that millions of cases may be missing from official statistics in places like India due to lack of detection, treatment, and recording.

Is leprosy contagious?

Leprosy is a contagious disease that can be transmitted through close and prolonged contact with an infected person, most likely through water droplets of the nose, eyes, and mouth. However, within 24-48 hours of starting Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT), the patient becomes non-infectious and cannot pass the disease on to others. To prevent further transmission, The Leprosy Mission conducts contact tracing activities to identify individuals who may have been exposed to the disease and provides them with anti-leprosy medication (rifampicin) to help prevent infection.

How do you catch leprosy?

Leprosy is believed to be contracted through prolonged and close contact with an infected person, usually through the transmission of water droplets from the nose, eyes, or mouth via coughing or sneezing. Research is still ongoing to fully understand the mode of transmission, which is why The Leprosy Mission is committed to investing in and conducting research to eradicate leprosy.

How much of my shopping is going towards helping people affected by leprosy?

A 100% of the profits go towards our projects!

With every purchase, you're directly contributing to supporting people affected by leprosy. All proceeds from the sale of items in the shop, after expenses and cost of goods, are allocated to fund Leprosy Mission overseas projects. Additionally, some of the products available have been made by people affected by leprosy, ensuring that the cost of the goods also benefits these suppliers.

Shipping

How much is shipping?

For Australian addresses, there is a flat rate of $8 for standard shipping and $15 for Express Post.
International shipping is available for a flat rate of $18.

Do you ship to international destinations?

Yes, we do offer international shipping for a flat rate of $18.

What is the deadline for Christmas delivery to local and overseas destinations?

Australian orders:

Deadline for Christmas delivery:

Sunday 13 December for domestic parcel post
Saturday 19 December for domestic express post

International orders:

Deadline for Christmas delivery varies by region:

Monday 16 November for the USA, Canada, UK, and Europe
Monday 23 November for most of Asia
Friday 27 November for New Zealand.

Can I send a parcel as a gift?

Yes, you can send your parcel directly to the recipient's address and we can send you the invoice.

When can I expect my order to arrive?

Orders are usually dispatched to Australia Post within 48 hours, excluding public holidays and weekends. You can check Australia Post's delivery times on their website. You can easily track your order with your order details.

Will I have to pay duties or taxes on my order?

For Australian customers, GST is included in the total purchase price. However, additional duties, taxes, or surcharges may apply for international orders upon delivery, and we recommend checking with your local authorities before placing your order. The Leprosy Mission Australia is not responsible for any such fees.

Coupon Codes

Can I use two codes at once?

Unfortunately, it's not possible to use multiple codes at once. We kindly ask that you choose the code that you'd like to use the most. If you're experiencing issues with your code, please ensure that you're entering it correctly. The field is not case sensitive, but please make sure there are no spaces and that you're entering the full code. If problems persist, please don't hesitate to contact us at 1800 537 767. We're more than happy to assist you over the phone

Payments

Payment Failed

To complete your transaction, please enter your credit card number without any spaces between the digits. If you encounter any issues, please don't hesitate to reach out to us for assistance at 1800 537 767.

What is a CVN?

This is the three-digit code located on the back of your credit card. Please enter these three numbers without any spaces to ensure a successful transaction.

What do I do if my bank no longer issues cheques?

We have other payment options including:

Direct Deposit / Online Banking Account - Please contact us to proceed with this
One off Direct Debit from your bank account requirements once you have contacted us to proceed with this method:

Name on the account must be the same name on the order
To create an account in ezi debit we need email and mobile number.
Sufficient funds in bank account, other wise TLMA get charged a fee
Bank details are kept confidential
Payment can take 2 days to be approved
When payment is approved in ezidebit, the merch order is then finalised

You can find the terms and conditions for one off direct debit here

Gift of Love

What is a Gift of Love?

When you purchase a Gift of Love through The Leprosy Mission Shop, you are making a meaningful contribution to a specific project dedicated to supporting people affected by leprosy. Each gift is an estimation of how much it costs to fund a particular aspect of the project, and your donation helps to cover this cost along with other essential activities. If the area of need becomes fully funded, your gift will be directed towards where it is needed most, ensuring that your donation has the most significant impact possible.

We are committed to making a difference in the lives of those affected by leprosy in countries all over the world. By purchasing a Gift of Love, you are supporting projects in Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, India, Nigeria, and Nepal, helping to provide vital resources and support to communities in need. Not only are you making a tax-deductible donation, but you are also making a tangible difference in the world.

How does this work?

We believe that giving is a powerful act that deserves recognition. When you purchase a Gift of Love through us, you will receive a gift card for the item donated. You can choose to keep the card as a memento of your generosity or pass it on to someone else to show that you have given on their behalf. It's worth noting that the cards do not mention the price of your gift, so you can rest assured that your contribution will remain private.

What does “Print your own card” mean?

We want to offer you flexibility in the way you choose to receive your Gift of Love. If you decide not to receive a physical card celebrating your gift via post, we can send you a printable version via email. This way, you can still have a tangible representation of your contribution that you can keep or give to a friend if you have purchased the gift on their behalf. Simply let us know your preference, and we will ensure that your Gift of Love is delivered in a way that works best for you.

What does “Send as an email” mean?

We want to make giving as easy and convenient as possible. If you choose to purchase a Gift of Love and opt-out of receiving a physical card to keep or give to a friend, we offer the option of sending an email version directly to your recipient. This digital version can be viewed or printed and will include your details as the sender. This way, you can still let your loved ones know about the meaningful contribution you've made on their behalf, without the need for physical cards or postage.

What does 'No gift sent' mean?

At The Leprosy Mission Shop, we understand that some people may prefer a more minimalistic approach to giving. If you're purchasing a Gift of Love for yourself and would rather not receive a celebratory card via post or email, you have the option to opt-out. This decision not only minimises waste but also saves on postage costs.

We also recognise the importance of transparency when it comes to how your donation is allocated. When you buy a Gift of Love through us, 70% of the purchase price goes directly towards the project associated with the item you have chosen, and the remaining 30% is allocated towards administrative costs. This ensures that a significant portion of your contribution goes directly towards supporting those affected by leprosy.

What is the Gift Card that comes with the Gifts of Love?

When you choose to purchase a Gift of Love through The Leprosy Mission Shop, we understand that you are making a meaningful decision to support people affected by leprosy. To express our gratitude, we will send you a special gift card for the item donated. You can hold onto this card as a heartfelt reminder of your generous act, or pass it on to someone special to let them know you made a difference in their name. It's important to note that these cards do not display the price of your gift, as we believe the value of your kindness goes far beyond a dollar amount.

How much of my shopping is going towards helping people affected by leprosy?

By purchasing from The Leprosy Mission Shop you can support people affected by leprosy, poverty and disability. Proceeds from all sales (after expenses and cost of goods) fund Leprosy Mission overseas projects. Additionally, a lot of our products are made by people affected by leprosy, and the cost of those goods goes directly to them. Last year, $87,745 worth of handmade products from communities affected by leprosy, disability, and poverty were purchased. Of the goods sold, 40% goes to artisans or groups for a dignified income, 37.2% goes to current projects, and about 20% supports administrative costs. Safe Water Saves Lives products directly support safe water projects, and general donations are the most cost-effective way to support people affected by leprosy through TLMA Shop.