The inhabitants of leprosy villages are no
longer locked up, though the wall in Kolda
still stands as a symbol of discrimination.

Photo © DAHW/Jochen Hövekenmeier


Daniela is familiar with prejudice. When she decided to take on the role of DAHW Representative in Senegal, she was inundated with countless “well-intended” tips! For many that Islamized country was not the place for a woman with a child. However, it was more of an incentive for this fighting-spirited woman. “I myself have experienced others not trusting me with certain tasks. Thus I am very well placed to comprehend what marginalisation means for persons affected by leprosy”. However, the marginalisation of these people in Senegal was far worse than she had feared: “For Senegalese who are not affected by leprosy, these villages simply do not exist – and therefore their inhabitants neither.”

DAHW has been working successfully in this West African country for more than thirty years despite all the hurdles. When DAHW began supporting anti-leprosy activities there in 1980 more than 10,000 people were being diagnosed with leprosy every year. Today, there are less than 300 new cases a year.

Nevertheless their work has not become easier. In fact, the opposite is the case as the Leprosy Control Programme must continue to run or else the number of new cases of leprosy will start to rise again. In addition, seven DAHW social workers ensure former patients, older ones as well as those who have typical impairments due to leprosy, have the chance at normal life.  

Previously all of the patients had to resettle in leprosy colonies. Even to this day these villages are not marked on any map. Up until almost thirty years ago those who wished to leave their villages had to have an identity card issued. Not “standard” identity cards though. Rather they were papers documenting they had been cured of leprosy and no longer posed a risk to others. But even today, without any ID cards, they are recognised and still treated as second class citizens.

As “compensation” the inhabitants of Senegal’s leprosy villages do not have to pay taxes. A bureaucratic “logic” that annoys Daniela Eich: “In reality these people have no rights. They would be prepared to pay taxes, but with what? They have nothing. They get no work – nobody will take on a person who clearly used to have leprosy. And even if they wished to establish a small business, which bank would make them a loan?”

In the leprosy village of Touba Peycouk it is now different. The DAHW Representative is making her way, with her social worker, to the village’s first bank: “Bank is perhaps somewhat of an exaggeration. But with this small co-operative bank we have made a start. Our motto is: If no bank will help us, then we must take this matter into our own hands”. 
   

So saying she sent home all of the children who were clustering around her, as they do on every visit she makes to one of the leprosy villages, and greeted Cheik Diakhate, who manages the co-operative bank. Then they get down to talking business. The principle of this bank is simple. As for building societies, one must first save an amount before a loan is made. The interest rates are higher, and the rates for borrowing are lower, than from commercial banks.

And the best thing about this arrangement is that this bank belongs to its clients. As members of the co-operative bank they can elect the members of the board and determine how profit in the leprosy village will be invested. “In financial terms the profit is not large” says Daniela Eich “but everyday we see what a bonus this co-operative bank is for the people in Touba Peycouk. Whenever an inhabitant of the leprosy village wishes to make themselves independent, they receive support. Initially this is financial, but they are also supported afterwards if their plans do not come to fruition. And their own small business is their only chance, besides begging, to earn money.”

The bank also helps more “enterprising” ideas dreamt up in the village. “For example, it helps with a taxi co-operative (currently one vehicle), a modest printers and a small food shop. In Peycouk alone almost 50 people, who used to beg, now have work.” And Cheik Diakhate adds: “Yet our bank would not be able to do this without DAHW’s assistance.”

The taxi co-operative in Touba Peycouk is running at a profit and aims to expand soon. Although it is the only car in the village, previously no other bank had been prepared to support this project.

Daniela Eich is very proud of her social worker after their conversation with the board of the co-operative. The forty-two-year-old from Neuwied in the Rhineland would happily take on more to transform these leprosy villages into villages like any others. There are no shortages of ideas. And Daniela has full trust in DAHW and its donors.

 

Article by Jochen Hövekenmeier
Translated by ILEP with the kind permission of DAHW

Categories: Members, Senegal