The power of a cuppa reaches from Knockbreda to Bangladesh
Have you ever thought about the power of a cup of tea? Many heartfelt conversations start with ‘I’ll stick the kettle on’. A cuppa offers connection and brings people together. The Big Leprosy Mission Tea Party at Knockbreda Parish did just this.
Over a warm cuppa and a sweet treat, over 100 people were brought on a journey from Belfast to the lush green tea gardens of Bangladesh. Here the beautiful scenery and flourishing greenery are contrasting the desolation and devastation that leprosy is causing. Leprosy is acting like a weed; choking the potential, livelihoods, and growth of those who live and work in the tea gardens, many of which pick the tea leaves that brews our cuppas here in Northern Ireland. Leprosy cases are 20–30 times higher here than anywhere else in the world. Just like an invasive weed, leprosy has taken root in these communities and is spreading at a truly shocking rate. It will continue to do so, robbing livelihoods, relationships and independence, unless we do something about it.
Pam Gaston (TLMNI’s Programme Funding Officer) visited these tea gardens last year and shared her experiences at the tea party. She shared the needs faced by those affected by leprosy, who are already the poorest of the poor in our world. She shared of the impact of poverty and natural disasters on top of alarming leprosy case rates. The most striking element of Pam’s experience was the devastating consequences of late diagnosis of leprosy. Aloka was just one of many who experienced this. Late diagnosis for her meant life altering disability to her hands. This meant she was unable to pick as many tea leaves; half the amount in fact, and half the leaves meant half the pay. Many can relate on some level to the crippling weight that financial insecurity can have. It left Aloka asking heart wrenching questions like ‘how will we survive?’ and ‘who will look after my family?’.
However, Pam shared about the incredible impact the kindness of those gathered, can make in the lives of people like Aloka. Aloka joined a TLM self help group. A group formed with the intention of empowering and supporting leprosy affected people. This group gave hope to Aloka in the form of a loan to purchase goats, helping bridge the gap in lost wages due leprosy. This has lifted the burdening weight of financial insecurity as well as inspiring her to be an agent of change in her community though encouraging people to get tested, to diagnose and cure leprosy early.
Over a cup of tea, £1,494 was raised, exceeding the target needed to form and train a self–help group. A group of caring individuals from across Northern Ireland, meeting over a cuppa in Belfast has the power to reach out in love all the way to Bangladesh, and touch the lives of people like Aloka.
You can help
So like the individuals gathered in Knockbreda a few weeks ago, The Leprosy Mission (TLM) is challenging people across NI to use their cuppa to make a difference in the lives of those affected by leprosy. They are calling individuals and churches host their own tea party to raise awareness and funds for those affected by leprosy, who are in great need. It could be like the one hosted in Knockbreda, or simply at home with friends and family. It could even be as simple as leaving a TLM money box by the tea and coffee station after the service in church and ask people to throw in their loose change. Big or small a cuppa has the power to show love to those affected, who are often the outcasts and lonely in their community.
For more information on hosting a tea party CLICK HERE to visit The Leprosy Mission’s website. If you also feel compelled to support people like Aloka, and be the hands and feet of Jesus today, you can visit the donate page by CLICKING HERE. Something as little as £24 can find and cure someone like Aloka, and free them from leprosy’s choking grip. Let’s finish what Jesus started, who cured leprosy in his lifetime, and is calling us to end it in ours!
For more information email info@tlm-ni.org or call the office on 028 92629500.
With thanks to Rebecca Parnell (TLM)