Munika is an 18-year-old young girl from Kishanganj district in Bihar. She is the only child of migrant parents who moved to Delhi in search of work. Her father earns a modest living as a mason, while her mother manages the household. Munika was a bright student and studied up to Class 10, but severe financial hardship forced her to discontinue her education and put her dreams aside.
Three years ago, Munika began experiencing pain in both elbows along with tingling sensations in her hands. With no visible symptoms, local doctors dismissed it as general weakness. Her parents, desperate for answers, consulted multiple doctors over nearly 18 months, spending whatever little they had. Sadly, no one diagnosed her condition correctly.
As time passed, Munika’s pain worsened. Weakness spread to her fingers, and eventually anaesthetic skin patches appeared. By the time she reached a leprosy hospital and received the correct diagnosis, irreversible damage had already occurred. Munika had developed claw-hand deformities in both hands.
She bravely completed her full course of multi-drug therapy last year, successfully curing the disease. But the deformities remained. Simple daily activities—eating, dressing, holding objects—became constant struggles for a young girl who once dreamed of a better future.
Recently, Munika learned that reconstructive surgery could restore function to her hands. With renewed hope, she came to The Leprosy Mission Hospital, Shahdara, where she is now admitted for corrective surgery. During her stay, Munika discovered the nursing courses offered by The Leprosy Mission. Inspired by the care she received, she now dreams of becoming a nurse and serving others like her.
Doctors are hopeful that with successful surgery and rehabilitation, Munika will regain the use of her hands and be able to pursue this dream.
However, her parents have exhausted all their resources. They have nothing left to offer except prayers and hope for their only daughter.
This is where you can make a life-changing difference.
Your donation will help cover Munika’s reconstructive surgery, hospital stay, medicines, food, and her journey towards education and independence, completely free of cost to her family. As a not-for-profit hospital, The Leprosy Mission depends almost entirely on the generosity of compassionate individuals like you to provide specialised care that is unavailable in most hospitals across India.
I earnestly appeal to you to open your heart and extend your support today. Your kindness can help Munika reclaim her hands, her education, and her future.
Together, we can ensure that no young life is defined by leprosy and that hope always has the final word.