Yasmin Entwistle was promoted by the late Rene Vargas, Programmes Director of LEPRA Health in Action, to the role of Programmes Officer for Asia, which she took up in January 2009.

Before coming to the UK, Yasmin had spent her life living in Peru, Bolivia and Pakistan. It was in August 2006 that she joined LEPRA as their Programmes Assistant. She completed a BA degree in Politics and International Relations at the University of Essex before studying for an MSc in Poverty Reduction and Development Management from the University of Birmingham, which concludes in September 2009.

Her daily work with LEPRA’s projects for preventable and curable diseases aims to reach those who would not otherwise receive the type of assistance that helps them regain their health, hope and dignity. She ensures that all such interventions in India and the Asian region are of the highest quality possible. Yasmin says: “I will contribute my dedication to the promotion of values of strength, dignity and sense of moral justice guided by the need for change”.

Yasmin considers it a privilege to have worked closely with Rene Vargas, whose presence will always be felt by everyone at LEPRA. Through the energy and enthusiasm she is bringing to her role she is continuing Rene’s legacy and his aim to make the world a better place.

E-mail: yasmin_entwistle@lepra.org.uk

 

In January 2009, Deepty Harji took up the role of Programmes Assistant for LEPRA Health in Action.

A graduate in International Development: The Third World and Non-governmental Organisation Management, Deepty had volunteered as a Teaching Assistant for a refugee learning centre and a Project Worker at an orphanage in Cairo before she joined LEPRA. Deepty had also been a Day Centre Worker, on a voluntary basis, for the Refugee Council, where she had helped meet the needs of refugees and asylum seekers and had played a role in promoting their social integration.

Delighted to be offering support across all of LEPRA’s programmes, Deepty is thoroughly enjoying assisting her colleagues. Since her arrival, Deepty has been immersed in producing a training manual for the LEPRA team.

Deepty is passionate about all development issues. In particular, Deepty is interested in the human rights, education and health needs of those who are impoverished and isolated. She says: “I am working for a cause in which I’m both interested and am dedicated to – reaching those who are stigmatised and helping to eliminate some preventable and curable diseases.”

E-mail: DeeptyH@leprahealthinaction.org   

 

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