Leprahilfe Senegal was founded 1980
Hedy Wogotwitsch from Austria founded “Leprahilfe Senegal” in 1980. After working in the tourist industry for a number of years, Hedy decided to build an hotel in Radstadt, near Salzburg. When it was completed in 1978, she went on holidays to Senegal, and met Racky, a woman suffering from leprosy who had had to have both her lower legs amputated.
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Hedy immediately decided to help her newfound friend. In MBalling, a village of 700 inhabitants 100 km south of Dakar, she was confronted with the harsh reality of poverty. She began to organize money and aid, and constructed a covered market and a house for Racky. In 1980, Hedy sold her hotel for a life annuity and moved to Senegal, devoting herself entirely to caring for people suffering from leprosy. Medicines and medical dressings were purchased and distributed to the patients along with clothing. Feeding the most severely disabled was a major challenge and, in 1985, a first very basic kitchen was constructed, consisting of two huge pots placed outdoors. Hedy quickly recognized the importance of education. She contributed to the extension of the school, and in 1991, a tailoring workshop was set up where the daughters of parents suffering from leprosy could be trained as dressmakers. Ndeye Diakhate, a Senegalese social worker, joined Leprahilfe Senegal in 1985 and soon, two cooks and a tailor joined the team. During her stay in Senegal, Hedy contracted typhoid and malaria and finally, in the mid-90s, was obliged to return to Europe, where she is now retired. Concerned about the future of her life’s work, Hedy turned to Günter Hainzl, who had already helped construct wells and the hospital in MBalling. During several bicycle tours of West Africa, Günter had come to respect and love the African way of life, and was ready to continue Hedy’s work. He has been project manager for Leprahilfe Senegal since 1997. |
Over recent years, there has been considerable progress in the area of self-help and important improvements in housing and sanitation in Mballing. Today, the village has 3,200 inhabitants, one third of whom suffer from leprosy.
While most of the project's activities are financed by private donors and companies, some public funds have been raised. Hedy’s niece, Wilma Burghauser, is responsible for a child sponsorship programme. At this point, it is appropriate to thank all those in Austria, Switzerland and Germany who have supported the project by organizing musical events and flea markets.
Annual costs amount to € 100 000.-
Leprahilfe Senegal focuses on three main areas:
1. Medical care and nutrition
Amputations are performed in public hospitals, and the Senegalese government dispenses leprosy medication free of charge; all further medical treatment is at the patient’s own expense. Since most patients cannot afford to pay for any additional medical services, Leprahilfe Senegal provides medical supplies, medicines, prostheses and operations. Since a weak body is more prone to infections, nutrition of the 240 most severely affected patients constitutes one of the main activities. Leprahilfe Senegal’s kitchen supplies them with two hot, wholesome meals a day.
2. Self-help
From the beginning, there has been a clear emphasis on sustainable development, with a view to gradually reaching financial independence from European donors.
Leprahilfe Sengal helps talented primary school leavers by funding secondary education, technical colleges (e.g. hotel management), special training (deaf-mute) or apprenticeships. Micro-financing is available for small-scale enterprises, ensuring that lepers have a modest income and school leavers can independently support their affected family members.
3. Improvement in infrastructure
It is becoming increasing necessary to invest in the village’s infrastructure in order to improve the quality of life. The nursery and primary school are being expanded and the covered market modernized. Gradually, the old, damp adobe houses will have to be replaced with simple, two-room brick constructions. Sanitary facilities will have to be built in order to improve hygiene and reduce the risk of infection.
Donations to:
Leprahilfe Senegal
Account number: 317.4588-0000
Volksbank Niederösterreich, BLZ 47150
Swift Code: VB OE AT WW NOM
IBAN: AT 19 47 15 0317 4588 000