Life expectancy is 43 years. Twenty percent of children die before their fifth birthday. The average person visits a health center once every 7 years. There is approximately 1 physician for every 10,000 persons.
Welcome to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
It also has Africa’s highest burden of leprosy though its large size and weak infrastructure make it almost impossible to know the exact numbers. Complicating - as well as adding to - these health challenges is the fact that the country is home to the world’s bloodiest war since World War II with more than 30 times as many deaths as the Haiti earthquake.
TLMC recently began supporting work in the country focusing on both the treatment of leprosy as well as socio-economic development for those affected. With approximately 60% of the population living on less than $1.25/day, working with those affected by the disease to find sustainable livelihood opportunities is crucial.
Enter the guinea pigs. And ducks. And chickens.
For those with little to no land and/or mobility issues due to leprosy-related disability, small animals are ideal. They do not require land on which to graze and can be kept in or near the house.
Through the projects, leprosy-affected persons are provided with a small number of animals as well as training on how to care for and breed them. In the case of guinea pigs, recipients are provided with 1 male and 2 females and are expected to give back at least 1 female once they start breeding (‘returned’ animals are given to other recipients). The animals can then be sold to others in the community providing an ongoing and sustainable income. Guinea pigs cost approximately $1.50, chickens $5 and ducks $10.
It is literally a small business opportunity where the stock replenishes itself. And in a country facing as many challenges as the DRC, that kind of sustainability is key.
By Nikki Whaites from The Leprosy Mission
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