At seventeen, most girls are thinking about exams and friendships. Diya Gakhare is thinking about something far simpler: how to hold a pen.

Diya lives in Arabhi village, in Narkhed taluka of Nagpur district, Maharashtra. She is the eldest of three children. Her parents own no land and farm other people’s fields, earning just enough to get by. Diya is in Class 11 and dreams of learning computers and training to become a teacher.

But leprosy is threatening to take that dream away.

It began quietly, with a pale patch on her thigh. It did not hurt, so it was easy to ignore. Slowly, her right hand began to change. Her fingers bent inward and stiffened until they curled into a claw.

At the local health centre, Diya was diagnosed with leprosy and completed a full year of Multi-Drug Therapy. The disease was cured, and her family stood lovingly beside her throughout. But the medicines could not undo the damage already done to her hand.

Today, everyday tasks are a struggle. Diya cannot grip her pen properly, so writing notes and sitting for exams have become exhausting and discouraging. Even lifting a glass of water is difficult. Slowly, a bright and hopeful girl is losing her confidence, and her dream of teaching is slipping out of reach.

Now, there is hope.

Diya has been admitted to The Leprosy Mission Hospital and is being prepared for reconstructive surgery on her right hand. Our doctors are hopeful. With surgery, followed by careful physiotherapy and rehabilitation, she could hold a pen again, look after herself on her own and return fully to her studies.

But surgery is only the beginning. Complete recovery needs weeks of patient care, and this is where we need you.

Diya’s family cannot afford her treatment. As a not-for-profit hospital, The Leprosy Mission depends on caring friends like you to provide surgery, hospital stay, medicines, physiotherapy, nutrition and rehabilitation, completely free of charge. For young people like Diya, we are often their only hope.

Diya has already shown remarkable courage. She completed her treatment, kept studying and never gave up on her dream. Now she needs you to stand with her for the final part of her journey.

Will you help Diya pick up her pen again?

Your gift today can give her back the use of her hand, and with it her education, her dignity and her future. Please give generously. Diya is counting on you.