The Guild PROJECT UPDATE  Leprosy Mission Scotland Walking in the light February 2009 TLMS is making a huge difference to the quality of life of people disabled by leprosy across the whole region with the help of Guild support. This support has enabled a number of local people to be trained in the production of prosthetics and other work required at the centre. These people have previously attended the centre as they took have been battling the effects of Leprosy – a great example of helping people to help themselves. November 2008 Latest news is that the Reimer family will not be returning to Nigeria. The update details their thanks for all the support they have had and how they are planning what they do next. Andrew Reimer has been so successful there that it may be that there is no need for a new person to cover his post – there may be enough skilled workers amongst the local people. TLMS announce that World Leprosy Day is to be held on the last Sunday in January. Packs of materials are available from TLMS as are gifts and cards for Christmas. Contact TLMS for details on contactus@tlmscotland.org.uk September 2008 This update contains a report from Andrew Reimer about his two years in Nigeria. Currently on leave in Canada, the family are shortly due to return. He writes of the storms in Nigeria and reflecting on weathering storms in more ways than one. A company in Canada had offered some prosthetics at a discount and Andrew had taken them with him. These proved so effective that the company has donated more this year. As an added bonus, the shippers waived their fee too. January 2008 Many churches and other groups contributed to the Christmas sacks distributed by the Reimer family to the village children. Word quickly went round Abuja that they wanted soap, juice, cookies, toothbrushes, toys and clothes. They made up over 70 bags and brought joy to the local children! One patient treated recently was a man who had claw hands, one missing leg and a partial foot on the other. This was challenging as he had both hands and feet affected. He could not manage a strap for a prosthesis. He received an elephorsis boot and a prosthesis that didn’t need a strap. This boot clamps to his leg and the Guild has enabled him to walk again. The Reimer family have recently adopted a number of Nigerian orphans – baby hedgehogs! Two have been found new homes. IN addition they have two new kittens! This is a good idea in Nigeria due to the rat problem – rats attract snakes! The TLMS shop is open in Stirling 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, Contact them for further information. November 2007 Guild support is already making a big difference to the support available to those affected by leprosy. Most noticeable is the new equipment available for Andrew and the others – it enables them to provide better quality orthopaedic aids. The new equipment includes a new drill press, a compressor and a pipe bender. The Nigerian team has grown with the addition to two new members of staff; one new driver and one in the office which frees up Andrew for more pressing work. TLMS have recently appointed a physiotherapist to be based at Chanchaga hospital but will assist the workshop patients too. TLMS have a shop in Stirling – they sell gifts too. If you want more information or want a sale or return bookstall for your event, contact them on 01786 449266 September 2007 This update contains news of people who have been helped by the donations from Guilds. Abduli, who is shown being fitted with a prosthetic leg. He can now walk. Grace was affected by leprosy and by a stroke. She hadn’t realised that she could get free prosthetics from TLMS. She is now walking again for the first time in 8 years. Uamaru had lost his leg to leprosy related ulcers and his current prosthesis wasn’t helping him. However, volunteer prosthetist Andrew Reimer, helped him by devising a new way of creating the limbs and now others are being trained to make them too. TLMS invite you to consider asking them to come to your guild as speakers, and to see their new dvd on life in Nigeria. They also have a full catalogue of products for Christmas. Sale or return bookstalls are available. February 2007 This most recent update reports on the case of Isa – Isa was born to a poor family and at 11 was diagnosed with Leprosy. Her family took her to the local medicine man, which was unsuccessful. Isa was left at the hospital on a drug regimen. This worked well, however, the disease late resurfaced. She lost a limb, but had a prosthetic. Her stump developed an ulcer but managed to avoid further amputation. Now with a new limb she has no more pain and has been able to live a full life. There is also more detail on the village of Chanchaga – there, with TLM, businesses have been set up, basic utilities installed and people are thriving. Other villages want to send their children to the school , access clean water and electricity and worship in the church. Their new electric grinding machine makes the most of their crops and earns income when it is hired out. November 2006 The latest update highlighted the problems of leprosy; when you cant feel your feet or control them properly, even simply walking down the road can result in injury or disability. The update includes a report on the process that people go through when under the care of the orthopaedic workshop: initial meeting and measurements are taken then a mould is made. Local conditions mean the clinic is often without water or electricity which can prove difficult. There is also a report about Sikiru, a welder, and how he was initially brought in to make wheelchairs. The traditional design is difficult on uneven surfaces, but he has developed one which is a sort of cross between a trike and a wheelchair, with the pedals at hand height. Stable on all surfaces and easy to operate., September 2006 The first update highlighted the work of the orthopaedic workshop in Chanchaga – there are 6 members of staff. In the past 90% of their work was based on providing orthotic devices. Now they hope to expand the work, to include all kinds of disability. It is hoped the workshop will become self-sufficient and provide education for the present staff and an expanded team. The update also focussed on The Reimer family who have gone to work at the clinic. The whole family ask for prayers for their new life.