Friday, January 27, 2017

ITALY - In the world a person is affected by leprosy every two minutes

Please use our banner on your email signatureThousands of volunteers will meet on Sunday, January 29, in hundreds of Italian squares, for the 64th World Day of Leprosy (GML) and witness the commitment of the Italian Association Amici di Raoul Follereau (AIFO). 

Although this ancient disease today is treatable, over 200,000 people worldwide are infected every year. This means one person every two minutes. "Honey of solidarity" will be distributed and other eco-trade products by volunteers, to raise awareness about the causes of the disease that affects mostly poor people, children and those regions where health services are poor or non-existent.

AIFO Projects in the world aim at preventing the disease to spread and allow the sick not only to be treated, but to be reintegrated into their families and communities. 


It is a "community-based inclusive development" because, in the words of the founder Raoul Follereau (1903-1977), no one can be happy alone, therefore, health, welfare and happiness can only be found and shared within internal local communities, from villages to urban areas.