Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Fides Service) - It is estimated that more than 6 million people suffer physical and social effects of leprosy of which in 2003 a total number of 513.798 cases was reported, 457,792 of whom are receiving treatment.
World Day of Solidarity with Lepers, 30 January, is a major event for AIFO, Italian Association Friends of Raoul Follereau. The association founded by Raoul Follereau in 1954 works in Africa caring for persons suffering from leprosy. The AIFO slogan this year is “With love nothing is impossible” and as every year AIFO volunteers will collect money through selling of Solidarity Honey in public squares in a number of Italian towns and cities. The honey is produced by small honey industries in Brazil and Croatia through the circuit of Fair Trade with Solidarity to increase awareness of the problem of leprosy and healthcare and social problems in developing countries. The jars of honey are contained in bags of jute made by former lepers who benefited from the Sumana Halli assistance programme in Bangalore in India.
Other initiatives undertaken every year by AIFO include awareness campaigns in schools, parishes and other institutions all over Italy introduced by “Witnesses Solidarity”, person directly involved in AIFO programmes who help to increase awareness in society of this terrible disease and their service to people who are shunned and avoided. AIFO has also organised a tour to various cities in Italy for the African Footprint International theatrical group from Ghana. The artists, all deaf, are bearers of their traditional and cultural values and they show the human and artistic talents that people with disabilities are able to express
Table on leprosy in the world 2004
http://www.fides.org/ita/sanita/2005/lebbra_120105.html
(AP) (12/1/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:28; Parole:362)
Rome (Fides Service) - It is estimated that more than 6 million people suffer physical and social effects of leprosy of which in 2003 a total number of 513.798 cases was reported, 457,792 of whom are receiving treatment.
World Day of Solidarity with Lepers, 30 January, is a major event for AIFO, Italian Association Friends of Raoul Follereau. The association founded by Raoul Follereau in 1954 works in Africa caring for persons suffering from leprosy. The AIFO slogan this year is “With love nothing is impossible” and as every year AIFO volunteers will collect money through selling of Solidarity Honey in public squares in a number of Italian towns and cities. The honey is produced by small honey industries in Brazil and Croatia through the circuit of Fair Trade with Solidarity to increase awareness of the problem of leprosy and healthcare and social problems in developing countries. The jars of honey are contained in bags of jute made by former lepers who benefited from the Sumana Halli assistance programme in Bangalore in India.
Other initiatives undertaken every year by AIFO include awareness campaigns in schools, parishes and other institutions all over Italy introduced by “Witnesses Solidarity”, person directly involved in AIFO programmes who help to increase awareness in society of this terrible disease and their service to people who are shunned and avoided. AIFO has also organised a tour to various cities in Italy for the African Footprint International theatrical group from Ghana. The artists, all deaf, are bearers of their traditional and cultural values and they show the human and artistic talents that people with disabilities are able to express
Table on leprosy in the world 2004
http://www.fides.org/ita/sanita/2005/lebbra_120105.html
(AP) (12/1/2005 Agenzia Fides; Righe:28; Parole:362)
