TLM - The Leprosy Mission International UK HQ

The Leprosy Mission (TLM) is an international Christian organisation which helps those affected by leprosy. Founded in 1874, The Leprosy Mission is the oldest and largest leprosy-focused organisation in the world today.

Leprosy affects people’s lives in many different ways, so we care for their physical, social, spiritual and psychological needs. In our projects we concentrate on community-based rehabilitation (CBR), prevention of disability (POD), advocacy, capacity building, healthcare, education, stigma reduction and occasionally on disaster response and preparedness. Leprosy is sometimes not fully understood by communities and as a result people are fearful of it, which means those affected by leprosy are often stigmatised.

Our vision is for ‘a world without leprosy’. This is why our main focus is on leprosy work and not other areas of healthcare. However, our work often includes other marginalised people in society, those with severe disabilities or those living in extreme poverty.

From 2011 onwards TLM has been moving towards decentralisation and a more shared approach to decision making.
 
TLM consists of 31 Member countries which include both ‘supporting’ (donor) countries and ‘implementing’ (field) countries. Both are equally valued Members and are equal partners in the work. It is the Members who drive the Mission forward and make decisions about TLM’s work.

TLM International operates as a central ‘hub’ to co-ordinate the needs of the Members. It has around 20 staff, most of whom work at the International Office in London, UK. 

Around the world The Leprosy Mission has about 2,000 staff and implements or supports around 200 leprosy projects in 26 countries. The largest number of our projects is in India. There are also a significant number in Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nigeria and Nepal. Increasingly the Mission seeks to work with partners rather than carrying out projects directly.

In total, TLM is present in almost 50 countries around the world. In addition to the 26 'implementing' (field) countries, this also includes 'supporting' (donor countries) where the main focus is on developing financial and project support.

The Leprosy Mission is a member agency of ILEP (the international federation of anti-leprosy organisations), EU-CORD, People in Aid, the Micah Network and BOND.