Thursday, March 23, 2023
GFA.org
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
GFA World Digital Media Room | News, Stories, Press Releases & more
No Result
View All Result
Home Press Releases

COVID Stay-At-Home ‘Doesn’t Compare to Leprosy Isolation’ Says Gospel for Asia

Sixty percent of disabled leprosy patients say life is 'meaningless' as GFA World brings hope to the lonely, shunned

February 16, 2021
inPress Releases
0

WILLS POINT, TX — With new COVID social restrictions in force in many countries, a just-released report reveals the loneliness and despair of people living with another “disease of isolation” — leprosy.

Sixty percent of disabled leprosy patients surveyed in Bangladesh said life was “totally meaningless,” says the report by missions agency Gospel for Asia (GFA World), who recently marked World Leprosy Day.

Being confined to home for extended periods due to pandemic restrictions might be uncomfortable, but “it doesn’t compare to being isolated for the rest of one’s life in a leprosy colony,” says the report, http://www.gfa.org/press/leprosy-ministry.

“Right now, many of us are having a difficult time in isolation due to the pandemic,” said GFA World founder K.P. Yohannan. “But what a privilege we have to take our eyes off ourselves and become the hands and feet of Jesus, helping to bring hope and God’s love to someone who’s forgotten and who believes their life is meaningless.”

In the report, GFA World highlights the remarkable work of local teams visiting leprosy colonies in Asia — where the disease is most prevalent — and bringing hope and healing to those forgotten by the outside world.

Leprosy ‘Not To Be Feared’

Teams of local women — known as Sisters of Compassion — visit leprosy colonies in South Asia, bringing food and encouragement to people living with disabilities and disfigurements caused by advanced leprosy. Their willingness to befriend people with leprosy — including many shunned by family and friends — shows others in the wider community that those living with the disease are not to be feared or isolated.

In fact, the disease — dreaded for centuries — is nowhere near as contagious as most people imagine. Around 95 percent of the global population is immune to leprosy, and it’s curable with antibiotics if detected early. There are hopes that a vaccine — currently in clinical trials — will bring an end to leprosy and its devastating impact on tens of thousands of lives every year.

For many, though, like Mungeli Das — who contracted leprosy as a girl more than 50 years ago and didn’t receive treatment in time — there’s little hope of a cure. Disabled and living in a leprosy colony, she clings to the help and hope that GFA World’s Sisters of Compassion bring her. The “sisters” follow the example of Jesus who, according to the gospels, touched and healed those with leprosy.

“Before the sisters came there was no one to help trim our hair, cut our nails or help us clean our houses and encourage us,” she said. “The sisters (clean) our wounds and they make us happy and encourage (us) all the time.”

Battling ‘False Stereotypes’

World Leprosy Day — an annual awareness event held on the last Sunday in January — aims to combat stigma and leprosy myths, including the negative and false stereotypes that further isolate people with leprosy.

Media reports comparing coronavirus lockdown restrictions to “living in a leper colony” fuel stigma and “dehumanize” people with leprosy, according to GFA World. Because of its wide use in a negative sense, the term “leper” feeds prejudice, the agency says.

Leprosy is not confined to Asia and other parts of the developing world. Every year, around 200 new cases are reported in the U.S. — mostly international travelers — and, until fairly recently, there were leprosy colonies in Hawaii and Louisiana, says the report.


PHOTO CUTLINEWith new COVID restrictions in force worldwide, Gospel for Asia report reveals the despair & isolation the people living with leprosy endure: COVID STAY-AT-HOME ‘DOESN’T COMPARE TO LEPROSY ISOLATION:’ With new COVID social restrictions in force in many countries, a just-released report (http://www.gfa.org/press/leprosy-ministry) from Gospel for Asia (GFA World) reveals the loneliness and despair of people living with another “disease of isolation” — leprosy. The report marked World Leprosy Day late last month.

Media interested in interviews with Gospel For Asia should contact Gregg Wooding at InChrist Communications @ 972-567-7660 or [email protected]


About Gospel for Asia

Gospel for Asia (GFA World) is a leading faith-based mission agency, helping national workers bring vital assistance and spiritual hope to millions across Asia, especially to those who have yet to hear about the love of God. In GFA’s latest yearly report, this included more than 70,000 sponsored children, free medical camps conducted in more than 1,200 villages and remote communities, over 4,800 clean water wells drilled, over 12,000 water filters installed, income-generating Christmas gifts for more than 260,000 needy families, and spiritual teaching available in 110 languages in 14 nations through radio ministry. For all the latest news, visit our Press Room at https://gfanews.org/news.


Read more news on Leprosy and the COVID 19 pandemic on the Gospel for Asia Digital Media News Room.
Tags: About Gospel for AsiaAsian MissionariesAsian MissionaryChristian NewsChristian News SourcesChristian News TodayChristian News WebsitesChristian World NewsCoronavirusCOVID-19Define LeprosyDr KP YohannanDr. K.P. YohannanGFA WorkersGFA-Supported MissionariesGFA-supported PastorsGFA-Supported WorkersGospel for AsiaGospel for Asia NewsHighlightImages of LeprosyIs Leprosy ContagiousIs Leprosy CurableK.P. YohannanKP YohannanKP Yohannan MessagesKP Yohannan TestimonyKPYohannanLatest Christian NewsLatest Update on KP YohannanLeprosyLeprosy CureLeprosy ImagesLeprosy in the BibleLeprosy PhotosLeprosy PicsLeprosy PicturesLeprosy StigmaLeprosy SymptomsLeprosy TreatmentLocal MissionariesNational MissionariesNational MissionaryNational MissionsPastor KP YohannanPhotos of LepersPics of LepersPics of LeprosyPictures of LeprosySister MissionariesSisters of CompassionWhat Causes LeprosyWhat Does Leprosy Look LikeWhat Is LeprosyWomen National WorkersWorld Christian NewsWorld Missions
ShareTweet
Previous Post

Traipsing the Globe on Her Knees with Gospel for Asia

Next Post

Chasing Education for Her Sister’s Future

Related Posts

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) spotlights hidden epidemic of missing women and girls on International Women’s Day
Press Releases

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) Spotlights ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of Missing Women On International Women’s Day

March 16, 2023
GFA World (Gospel for Asia) relief teams are distributing vital aid to traumatized survivors of the massive earthquake & aftershocks in Turkey
Press Releases

GFA World Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors

March 8, 2023
GFA World has seen significant growth in the reach of GFA Minute, its rebranded radio program – now on 250 radio stations across the U.S.
Press Releases

New GFA World Radio Program Challenges Listeners to Reject ‘Mediocre Christianity’

February 21, 2023
Every year GFA World and their mission partner, St Cyprian BEC, work together to bring beauty and light to their neighbourhood.
Press Releases

Lighting Up Stoney Creek

January 5, 2023
GFA World Canada celebrates 38 years of serving God and humanity alongside local churches serving as a collection centre for OCC shoeboxes
Press Releases

GFA World Celebrates 38 Years of Serving Alongside Local Churches

December 17, 2022
Child sponsorship makes university dream alive for world's poor, escaping the generational poverty trap, says Gospel for Asia (GFA world)
Press Releases

Child Sponsorship Makes University Dream Come Alive for World’s Poor, Says Gospel for Asia [GFA World]

November 30, 2022
Next Post
Sumana’s people clung to their identity but wanted to prosper in the world evolving around them. With only 30 percent of the population literate, education was the key to unlocking a future for her people.

Chasing Education for Her Sister's Future

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent News

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) spotlights hidden epidemic of missing women and girls on International Women’s Day
Press Releases

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) Spotlights ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of Missing Women On International Women’s Day

March 16, 2023
In perpetual mourning and separation, Saadet was one widow among 258 million worldwide, and she was bereft of love, helpless and alone
Featured Stories

Wrapping Love Around a Lonely Widow

March 11, 2023
GFA World (Gospel for Asia) relief teams are distributing vital aid to traumatized survivors of the massive earthquake & aftershocks in Turkey
Press Releases

GFA World Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors

March 8, 2023
A widow receives a goat from GFA World (Gospel for Asia) gift distribution, a help to alleviate poverty and feed her children
Featured Stories

A Kid to Feed a Widow’s Kids

February 25, 2023

Press Contact

  • Name: Press Relations
  • Phone: 972-300-3379
  • Email: [email protected]
  • Website: https://www.gfa.org

Social Connect

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-972-300-7777
Website: https://www.gfa.org

Connect on Social

Facebook Twitter Instagram Youtube

News Categories

  • Article
  • Featured Stories
  • Field Reports
  • GFA World Magazine
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases

News Archive

No Result
View All Result

Recent News

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) spotlights hidden epidemic of missing women and girls on International Women’s Day

GFA World (also known as Gospel for Asia) Spotlights ‘Hidden Epidemic’ of Missing Women On International Women’s Day

March 16, 2023
In perpetual mourning and separation, Saadet was one widow among 258 million worldwide, and she was bereft of love, helpless and alone

Wrapping Love Around a Lonely Widow

March 11, 2023
GFA World (Gospel for Asia) relief teams are distributing vital aid to traumatized survivors of the massive earthquake & aftershocks in Turkey

GFA World Aids ‘Traumatized’ Turkey Quake Survivors

March 8, 2023
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
  • Media Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • In the News
  • Leader Bios
  • Press Releases
    • Press Kits
  • Media Library
    • Photo Library
    • Video Library
  • Contact Us

© 2020 Gospel for Asia - Transforming Communities through God's Love
GFA Digital Media Room - News, Stores, Press Releases and more

Go to mobile version