60% of the world's leprosy cases. 786 Leprosy colonies!

Leprosy is a long way from eradication in India. Sounds unbelievable? Ask 1,00,000+ social outcasts who are denied basic human rights and forced to live subhuman lives while coping with this devastating disease.

Today, leprosy is curable with Multiple Drug Therapy. Then why do these colonies still exist?

Prejudice affects individuals with leprosy socially, economically and psychologically

Deep-rooted social stigma forces people to live in isolation in self-settled communities

Segregation traps leprosy affected individuals in a vicious cycle of struggle.

They face poverty, unemployment, lack of basic amenities, unsanitary conditions, overcrowding and malnutrition.

'Belief in one's own self-worth and dignity also contributes to a positive sense of well-being.’

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Meet Shailendra Shaw, The Founder

‘In 2004, I decided to do whatever I could, to help. I gathered youth from a number of leprosy colonies and together we collected 1 rupee per family per day for colony development. In a year, we raised 1,50,000 rupees from 20 colonies.

This success boosted everyone’s morale, and raised hopes for change. Our state was recognized as the first in India to have a group of youth leaders comprising persons affected by leprosy. Later, in 2009, the organization Atma Swabhiman (Self Dignity) was established for and by the persons affected by leprosy. '

Since 2009, Atma Swabhiman is dedicated to helping individuals and families to rise above the stigma associated with leprosy and to live healthy, productive lives through access to education, employment opportunities and community development.

We Focus On

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Leprosy care
and Health

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Education for
children

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Employment
opportunities

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Community
development

Stories

  • Sujata

    Born in an isolated leprosy colony Nai Duniya Asha Vihar, located near a coal mining area in the outskirts of Dhanbad district of Jharkhand, India.

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  • Sarothi Devi

    I was born around the 1980s, lost my parents at a very early age and developed leprosy symptoms and disability at the age of 9.

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  • Dhiraju Singh

    At that time I was too young to understand that what happened to me, but today I know it was the stigma and discrimination due to which...

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  • TESTIMONIALS

    I never thought the water would come again in the colony. I had lost the hope long back but when everyone started talking about possible support, I too joined in the digging along with the other colony people. I am very happy for the work we have done all together and now I need not to struggle to get water.

    Pagal Rajwar

    Elderly resident, Balagudda Colony

  • TESTIMONIALS

    I never thought the water would come again in the colony. I had lost the hope long back but when everyone started talking about possible support, I too joined in the digging along with the other colony people. I am very happy for the work we have done all together and now I need not to struggle to get water.

    Pagal Rajwar

    Elderly resident, Balagudda Colony

  • TESTIMONIALS

    “I will never forget and will always be grateful for the support, care, and kindness I have received from Atma Swabhiman”

    Basanthi Devi

    Community Resident, Jharkhand

  • TESTIMONIALS

    “Atma Swabhiman is doing excellent work helping leprosy patients. We are happy to share the privilege of working on a social cause…Our students actively participated in the ‘Daan Utsav 2022’ organized by the group.”

    Sonali Pathak, Teacher,

    DAV Model School CFRI, Dhanbad, Jharkhand

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Reach us

  • +91 9334409076
  • atmaswabhiman@gmail.com
  • Bermasia Leprosy hospital Campus Near Bermasia Phatak ,Dhanbad P.O-Dhanbad (Jharkhand) Pin -826001
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