Frequently Asked Questions

The Leprosy Mission is the largest and oldest leprosy-focused organisation in the world. Since 1874, The Leprosy Mission has provided holistic support to people affected by leprosy throughout the world. We seek to break the chains of leprosy, empowering people to attain healing, dignity, and life in all its fullness.

The Leprosy Mission is a faith-based organisation, whose work and actions are underpinned by a biblical basis. As such, we seek to live out our Christian beliefs through our compassion and care; seeking to offer health, healing and spiritual wholeness to people with leprosy and disability irrespective of race, culture, gender, age, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, birth or other status.

While some Christian activities like pastoral care and counselling are provided as an integral part of being a faith based organisation, we agree to the guidelines set by the Australian government’s department for international development (DFAT — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade) that their funds are not to be used for activities designed to convert people from one religious faith or denomination to another, or from one political persuasion to another and are not to be used to build up church, ecclesiastical or political structure.

Leprosy still exists. In fact, every two minutes, one person in the world is diagnosed. Some countries claim leprosy has been “eliminated” but this just means the number of cases reported and recorded by their government is under 1 case per every 10,000 people (0.01%). Elimination is not eradication.

This information also relies on cases being reported and recorded accurately. There is evidence to suggestion in India, for example, that there are “millions” of cases “missing” from the official statistics because these people have not been found or treated or recorded.

 

Yes. Leprosy is mildly contagious. But within 24 -48 hours of starting Multi-Drug Therapy (MDT) the patient is no longer infectious and cannot pass the disease on to others.

The Leprosy Mission often also conducts “contract tracing” activities to find the patient’s family members, friends, colleagues who may have been exposed to leprosy, testing them for leprosy and possibly providing then with an anti-leprosy medication (rifampicin) which may help prevent infection.

It is thought that leprosy is caught through close direct and prolonged contact with a person infected with leprosy. Most likely through the water droplets of the nose, eyes and mouth (via coughing and sneezing). We are still investigating. That’s why The Leprosy Mission is investing in and conducting research – so we can stop this disease at the cause and make leprosy a thing of the past.

Just by purchasing through The Leprosy Mission Gift Catalogue you are already helping people affected by leprosy as proceeds of the sale of all the items of goods in the catalogue (once cost of goods and expenses have been paid for) go towards funding Leprosy Mission overseas projects.
As well as this, some products have been directly produced by people affected by leprosy therefore the cost of the goods has also been paid to these suppliers.

All orders to Australian addresses are charged a $8 flat rate and $15 for Express Post.

Yes! We do international shipping. The shipping cost is $18 flat rate.

• Australia Post domestic parcel post -  Sunday 13 December 
• Australia Post domestic express post - Saturday 19 December
• USA, Canada, UK, Europe - Monday 16 November
• Most of Asia - Monday 23 November
• New Zealand - Friday 27 November

You can ship this parcel to another person’s address and we can send you the invoice – easy!

Orders are dispatched to Australia Post within 48 hours (excluding public holidays and weekends). You can find Australia Post delivery times on their website.

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have an impact on Australia Post delivery times. You can find more information on the impact of COVID-19 on their website.

If you are an Australian customer, GST will be included in your total purchase price. The Leprosy Mission Australia is not liable for any additional duties, taxes or surcharges that you may have to pay upon delivery to your country. If you are unsure, we recommend checking with local authorities before placing your order.

 

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When you buy a Gift of Love, you are making a tax-deductible donation to an actual Leprosy Mission project. The dollar value listed for each gift is an estimation of how much this part of the project costs. Your donation funds this part, along with other vital activities of that project. If the area of need becomes funded, your gift will go where it’s needed most.

Countries that benefit from your Gift of Love are projects that you support in Timor Leste, Papua New Guinea, India, Nigeria and Nepal.

When you buy a Gift of Love through The Leprosy Mission Australia, you will receive a gift card for the item donated. You can keep it or pass on to someone else to show that you have given it on their behalf. The cards do not mention the price of your gift.

When you buy a Gift of Love you can choose to receive a card via post celebrating your gift for you to keep or to give to a friend (if you have purchased the gift on their behalf).

When you buy a Gift of Love instead of receiving a card via post celebrating your gift for you to keep or to give to a friend (if you have purchased the gift on their behalf) you can choose for us to send you a printable version via email for you to print and

When you buy a Gift of Love instead of receiving a card celebrating your gift for you to keep or to give to a friend (if you have purchased the gift on their behalf) you can choose to send an email version directly to your recipient for them to view or print. It will have your details on it as the sender.

When you buy a Gift of Love, if you are not fussed about receiving a card via post (or email) celebrating your gift and it is not for a friend. You can choose NOT to receive anything in return. (This saves postage and paper)

When you buy a Gift of Love through The Leprosy Mission Australia, 70% of the purchase price is allocated towards the project this item is a part of and 30% is to support administrative costs.

When you buy a Gift of Love through The Leprosy Mission Australia, you will receive a gift card for the item donated. You can keep it as a memento or pass on to someone else to show that you have given it on their behalf. The cards do not mention the price of your gift.

Just by purchasing through The Leprosy Mission Gift Catalogue you are already helping people affected by leprosy as proceeds of the sale of all the items of goods in the catalogue (once cost of goods and expenses have been paid for) go towards funding Leprosy Mission overseas projects.

As well as this, some products have been directly produced by people affected by leprosy therefore the cost of the goods has also been paid to these suppliers.

In the last financial year, we purchased $87,745 worth of handmade products from communities affected by leprosy, disability and/or poverty.

• 40% of the goods sold will directly go to the artisanal or group, to provide them with a dignified income, or will go to the product supplier.
• 37.2% goes to making an impact in our current projects
• 22.8% is to support our administrative costs

By purchasing a Safe Water Saves Lives product the proceeds of your purchase go directly to safe water (WASH – Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) projects in the countries TLMA supports.

Buying a Gift of Love, or a general donation is the most cost-effective way of supporting people affected by leprosy through the gift catalogue.