Organisation


Nepal Leprosy Trust is a Christian initiative to serve the most needy people of Nepal. It is registered as a non-governmental organisation (NGO) in Nepal, and as a Charity in England (No. 1081952; Company limited by guarantee No. 4046961). The Trust was recently registered as a Charity in the Republic of Ireland.

NLT is an indigenous organisation in Nepal, governed by respected Nepali professionals / managers. NLT in the UK and Ireland exists to support its work in Nepal through receiving funds, communications, administration and provision of expatriate personnel for developmental roles in Nepal.

Although the work has grown significantly during the past 10 years, it has managed to maintain a warm 'family' spirit through close friendships, and a vision shared by both its Nepali and expatriate workers. Visitors regularly notice and comment upon the quality, commitment and positive attitude of the staff.

NLT is committed to the active collaboration of people affected by leprosy in all its programmes. Its policy is also to provide on-going training to its entire Nepali staff, a significant proportion of whom are drawn from families affected by leprosy. We adhere to standards of practice aimed at preserving the dignity of all those served.

NLT has developed a Human Resources Development Plan, the aim of which is to increase Nepali leadership within the organisation. The Chief Executive of NLT in Kathmandu and the General Manager of Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre are both Nepalis who have served with NLT for many years.

Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre

Lalgadh Leprosy Services Centre (LLSC) is by far NLT's largest venture. The Government gave permission for its construction in 1991 and provided free lease of land (about 17 acres), while NLT took on an obligation to build the Centre, provide staff and finances to run it, and establish, monitor and develop appropriate programmes. The Centre began to receive patients in 1993 and was officially opened in 1996.

NLT funded the Centre's construction through generous donations, mostly from private individuals, at a cost of approximately £750,000. The construction costs have been met in full.

In 1986, NLT's total annual income was just £12,000. However, the work has since grown to the point where the total running costs of the Centre and its programmes are approximately £350,000 per year. Despite the dramatic increase, this is still a remarkably low figure in view of the number of people, around 30,000, who visit the Centre each year.

Those affected by leprosy receive all treatment, food and drugs entirely free of charge. Non-leprosy out-patients are asked to contribute to the cost of their treatment, although many are not able to do so. An increasing number of non-leprosy patients now come to the Centre for an opinion and treatment, because it has gained such a good reputation.

Funding

A significant proportion of NLT's financial support comes from individuals around the world, many of who have given faithfully for a number of years.

Approximately 25% of NLT's total income is from the sale of fair-trade Nepali products, including those manufactured in NLT's own income generating projects in Kathmandu. The profits from NLT's "Himalayan Handicrafts" shop in Patan and from export sales provide enough money to operate all of NLT's social welfare projects in Kathmandu, with additional profits going to support the work at Lalgadh.

NLT receives regular grants from several organisations that support leprosy control and prevention-of-disability projects around the world:

Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation
American Leprosy Missions (ALM)
LEPRA (British Leprosy Relief Association)
Sylvia Adams Charitable Trust
The Leprosy Mission International

NLT has also built up partnerships with a number of grant-making trusts that share its aims and objectives. It is looking to build up further relationships with trusts willing to support its work both on a one-off or regular basis.

Employment and Staffing

NLT employs, either directly or through its income generation projects, about 180 Nepalis, 125 being at Lalgadh. Under its agreement with the Nepal Government, NLT also has permission to employ up to 7 expatriate professionals from abroad.

NLT's workshops in Kathmandu, which manufacture fair-trade products, provide employment for people affected by leprosy and other disadvantaged groups. LLSC usually has 2 Nepali doctors and one expatriate doctor, as well as Nepali nurses and paramedical workers. NLT is also committed to sponsoring young Nepali doctors during their training.

UK administration expenses are comparatively low, since offices are donated to the Trust and the Directors and Trustees are unpaid volunteers. Volunteers carry out a significant portion of the necessary work.

For more information or to donate to the work of NLT - contact us or visit the support us page