FRANCO LONAPPAN - KARUNA PROJECT

About Me

As the Founder of the Karuna Project and having been involved with the Project since its inception 25 years ago, I am deeply committed to making India a leprosy-free nation.

To realize this vision, I, along with a great team focus on raising public awareness, traveling to rural areas of Maharashtra, conducting house-to-house surveys, identifying new cases of leprosy, and ensuring those affected receive proper treatment and care. My efforts are dedicated to breaking both the social and physical stigmas associated with leprosy, which remain significant challenges for individuals and their families.

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KARUNA - A PROJECT OF COMPASSION SERVING THE LEPROSY SUFFERERS FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS

Leprosy is a curable disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae. However because of societal stigma and misconceptions, delaying diagnosis and treatment, symptoms like hypo-pigmented patches, skin nodules, and nerve damage progress undetected, resulting in severe deformities. Insufficient awareness and knowledge about the disease and available resources further exacerbate the issue.

Since its inception in 2000, the Karuna Project of Stepping Stone Charitable Society, Mumbai, has worked tirelessly to provide holistic care for leprosy-affected individuals and their families. Initially offering mobile clinics with basic healthcare and hygiene services including bathing facilities in a mobile van, the initiative has grown into a comprehensive program addressing physical, emotional, social, and financial well-being. Over 24 years, the project supported by a dedicated team has delivered over 100,000 treatments.

Recent efforts focus on early detection and treatment, mobile clinics, house-to-house surveys, and self-care training, alongside awareness campaigns, microfinance programs, and livelihood and entrepreneurial skill-building for economic independence. The project has also collaborated with the Maharashtra Government under the National Leprosy Eradication Programme, screening 16,500 individuals in two years and identifying 484 new cases now undergoing treatment.

To achieve the goal of zero leprosy transmission by 2027, the Karuna Project of Stepping Stone Charitable Society continues to expand outreach into rural areas, partnering with local health workers and primary health centres to detect and treat cases promptly.

Your contribution will have a direct impact on the lives of those most vulnerable, saving them from lifelong disabilities, restoring their dignity, and bringing hope to their families. Together, we can create a future free from the suffering and the stigma of leprosy.

Thank you for your generous donation to Karuna! We appreciate your support and will keep you updated on our progress. Please feel free to contact me for any updates, or inquiries or to get involved.

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