Malou

Malou is a small community of of people affected by leprosy, a disease that is curable but rarely treated in areas of the world where medical care is a luxury. Untreated, those with leprosy suffer numbness, debilitating muscle stiffness and, eventually, blindness. It’s difficult to carry out essential daily tasks like fetching water and tending crops.

In Malou, 50 families have been affected by the leprosy and the painful physical conditions are made worse by the regional stigma associated with the disease. All of them were banned from the local water well, forcing them to walk to the nearest source of water, 11 kilometres away.

Many would imagine Malou to be a dismal place without happiness or hope; however the community has demonstrated incredible resilience and maintains overwhelming joy in the face of the hardship. The chief is always smiling and is usually surrounded by 4 or 5 children all trying to hold his hand at once.

After bringing the community some gardening tools and seeds, crops are now flourishing with fresh vegetables thanks to the care the villagers put into them. Everyone in the community is healthier and an income has been created from residual produce that’s sold at market.

They’ve also built their own school after the children were barred from the nearest school because of their condition. 

Malou continues to impress us with their dedication to growth - they are an inspiring example of what a motivated community can achieve.