Photo Credit: Tom Bradley
Where We Work
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Photo Credit: Tom Bradley
The Journey of Care
At Effect Hope, we take a holistic approach to serving people affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases like leprosy. This means caring for the whole person, not just their disease or disability.
Our programs are designed to address a person’s physical condition, while also impacting their social connections, ability to earn a living, and their mental well-being. This helps to promote full restoration of a person’s life, so that they can enjoy physical health, reintegrate into their community, and regain independence.
This approach spans all aspects of a person’s life, and it’s what we call the Journey of Care. The four phases include the ways we Find, Treat, Care and Empower people of all ages.
Our programs are designed to address a person’s physical condition, while also impacting their social connections, ability to earn a living, and their mental well-being. This helps to promote full restoration of a person’s life, so that they can enjoy physical health, reintegrate into their community, and regain independence.
This approach spans all aspects of a person’s life, and it’s what we call the Journey of Care. The four phases include the ways we Find, Treat, Care and Empower people of all ages.
For people affected by NTDs to successfully overcome the impact of these diseases, the health system around them must be well-equipped.
That’s why we work with public health centres and officials in the communities we serve. We train health care workers to identify the symptoms of NTDs, and deliver appropriate medical interventions. We also work with community leaders to ensure culturally relevant best practices, and participate in advocacy for sustainable outcomes. When a health system is strengthened, no one is left behind.
That’s why we work with public health centres and officials in the communities we serve. We train health care workers to identify the symptoms of NTDs, and deliver appropriate medical interventions. We also work with community leaders to ensure culturally relevant best practices, and participate in advocacy for sustainable outcomes. When a health system is strengthened, no one is left behind.
Find
Find people at risk for disease to provide early diagnosis and intervention.
Treat
Treat diseases quickly to prevent disabilities and other complications.
Care
Care for people beyond just their physical needs, through disability management, self-care training, and mental health support.
Empower
Enable people to live full lives through education and skills training, while empowering communities to utilize their collective voice to drive change.
Inspiring Projects
& Personal Impact Stories
Tannu
When 19-year-old Tannu noticed patches on her skin and loss of sensation in her left hand, she went to a homeopathic practitioner in her village for help. The expensive treatments drained her family’s limited income, and her condition did not improve.
The ASPIRE project team discovered that Tannu had leprosy during a screening in her village. They referred her to the hospital where she received medication and support to help her lesions resolve, preventing permanent disability. Without participating in ASPIRE’s active screenings, Tannu might have continued to suffer in silence. Tannu’s story and many others like it highlight the importance of active case finding to ensure early treatment, prevention of disability and case management.
The ASPIRE project team discovered that Tannu had leprosy during a screening in her village. They referred her to the hospital where she received medication and support to help her lesions resolve, preventing permanent disability. Without participating in ASPIRE’s active screenings, Tannu might have continued to suffer in silence. Tannu’s story and many others like it highlight the importance of active case finding to ensure early treatment, prevention of disability and case management.
ASPIRE (India)
In northern India, we are accelerating NTD control targets and strengthening public health systems through the ASPIRE project. It prioritizes door-to-door screening in remote communities, to find and diagnose people with leprosy and other Skin NTDs. In its first year, the ASPIRE project team reached 85% of the households in a single district, screening over one million people of which 736 were diagnosed with leprosy, 2,662 with lymphatic filariasis (LF), and 2,798 with scabies, who would have otherwise gone undetected. Hundreds of these were children. Through ASPIRE, we’re playing a key role in improving national NTD control programs to reveal the true burden of Skin NTDs in India. This includes improving coordination across government health and related sectors, including the World Health Organization.
Find
TRANSFORM (Liberia)
The TRANSFORM project is building a resilient health system in Liberia, a country that has been ravaged by civil war.
Effect Hope partners with the Government of Liberia’s Ministry of Health to facilitate accessible, affordable, and skilled detection, treatment and management of NTDs in all 15 counties of Liberia. Through specialized training for public health professionals, improving the drug supply chain and enhancing the health information management system, we are making NTD care services more accessible for people throughout the country. The TRANSFORM project includes people affected by NTDs in project and planning teams, so they have a voice in shaping future services across the country.
Effect Hope partners with the Government of Liberia’s Ministry of Health to facilitate accessible, affordable, and skilled detection, treatment and management of NTDs in all 15 counties of Liberia. Through specialized training for public health professionals, improving the drug supply chain and enhancing the health information management system, we are making NTD care services more accessible for people throughout the country. The TRANSFORM project includes people affected by NTDs in project and planning teams, so they have a voice in shaping future services across the country.
Treat
Gbedalee
When Gbedalee first discovered a bump on her foot, she turned to a local herbalist in her community for help. Despite receiving treatment from the herbalist, her condition did not improve. Eventually Gbedalee made her way to a hospital where she was cared for by medical staff trained in NTD treatment through the TRANSFORM program.
TRANSFORM includes training for health care workers in formal and informal systems, including traditional faith healers and herbalists, ensuring that efforts to combat NTDs in the country are combined at the local, county and country levels.
TRANSFORM includes training for health care workers in formal and informal systems, including traditional faith healers and herbalists, ensuring that efforts to combat NTDs in the country are combined at the local, county and country levels.
Rajan
When Rajan was in 5th grade, he noticed a tingling sensation in his hand. One year later he was diagnosed with leprosy and began treatment but was unable to afford the foot surgery he needed to fully recover. Rajan’s condition worsened until he was referred to TLM Naini Hospital and finally received the medical care he needed for his hands and feet.
THE LEPROSY MISSION NAINI HOSPITAL (India)
The Leprosy Mission (TLM) Naini Hospital in northern India, provides health care services to thousands of people each year. They offer free health care to people with leprosy who may be refused service at other hospitals due to their physical appearance or lack of financial resources. Naini hospital serves people who have nowhere else to go. In addition to medical treatment, a team of counsellors and social workers help set patients up for success and independence after discharge. Thanks to the interdisciplinary care model at the hospital, patients can avoid traveling to multiple health centres, take fewer days off work, and reduce financial burdens by accessing all necessary care in one place.
Naini hospital is just one of the hospitals we support. The Premanada Memorial Hospital in Kolkata also offers specialized inpatient care for people with leprosy, including disability care, surgery, and rehabilitation.
Naini hospital is just one of the hospitals we support. The Premanada Memorial Hospital in Kolkata also offers specialized inpatient care for people with leprosy, including disability care, surgery, and rehabilitation.
Care
RESTORE (Côte d’Ivoire)
The RESTORE project takes a holistic approach to social support for people affected by leprosy. That means not only addressing the disease itself, but also the socio-economic consequences of diseases like leprosy. Despite drastic decreases in the number of new leprosy cases in Côte d’Ivoire, the physical, mental, and socio-economic impact of the disease persists, keeping people affected trapped in a cycle of poverty due to disability, social stigma and discrimination. The RESTORE project helps improve the quality of life through social and mental health support. There is also help available for skills training and support to start a small business, so people affected by leprosy can regain independence and lead a life of dignity.
Empower
Diane
When Diane noticed patches on her skin and began to lose sensation in some parts of her body, she struggled for years to get help. By the time she received treatment, Diane had lost her previous business due to widespread stigma associated with leprosy and found herself without a support system. RESTORE helped Diane purchase a new freezer and inventory to start a new business selling juice, water, and ice. Now that she is earning more income, she can support her children’s education, save money, and continue to grow her business.
Making a Big Impact Together
1556958
People Screened for NTDs
Find
8622
New people diagnosed with Skin NTDs to gain awareness & receive medical interventions
3906
People diagnosed were women, highlighting significant underreporting in other areas
4520
Health care professionals trained to recognize, treat and refer people with NTDs
Treat
21422
Newly diagnosed people received treatment
607
Surgeries provided to restore people’s mobility and independence
2120492
People treated through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) for onchocerciasis and lymphatic filariasis
Care
5060
People received self-care training
464
People received mental health counselling
4801
Pairs of customized protective footwear provided to restore mobility
Empower
2864
People received skills training to earn an income
254
People received support for starting or maintaining a small business
4045
People participated in a community-based group to spread awareness about NTDs and reduce social stigma
2999
People received advocacy support to reduce social stigma
64359
Children educated in schools about symptoms and treatments for NTDs
980
Outreach workers trained to spread awareness about symptoms and treatments for NTDs
1962515
People reached by awareness and education activities
Your Support Makes a Lasting Impact
Thanks to the dedication of our partners, donors and supporters, we continue to make a lasting positive impact on people and communities affected by leprosy and other Neglected Tropical Diseases. We couldn’t do this without you.
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Financial Summary
2023 Revenue
2023
Revenue
Revenue
REVENUE
2023 CAD $
2022 CAD $
Contributions
3,520,342
3,544,546
Legacies
2,589,831
723,331
Institutional funding
1,883,486
274,782
Investment/ (loss) income
364,026
(154,273)
Saleable products & sundry
84,624
38,951
Designated government grant
919
1,785
8,443,228
4,429,122
Contributions
Institutional funding
Legacies
Saleable products & sundry
Investment / (loss) income
2023 Ministry Expenses
2023
Ministry
Expenses
Ministry
Expenses
MINISTRY EXPENSES
2023 Total
CAD $
CAD $
2022 Total
CAD $
CAD $
Strengthening health systems
3,296,023
1,574,462
Activating & equipping communities
668,983
470,585
Carrying out research
427,895
354,684
Advocacy, policy & partnership
363,386
271,372
Constituency education
582,504
643,672
Internal management and consulting
344,291
330,316
Designated government grant expenses
76,053
255,759
5,759,135
3,900,850
Strengthening health systems
Activating & equipping communities
Carrying out research
Advocacy, policy & partnership
Designated government grant expenses
Constituency education
Internal management and consulting
2023 Expenditures
2023
Expenditures
Expenditures
Ministry
Administration
Promotion
EXPENDITURES
Ministry
2023 Total
CAD $
CAD $
2022 Total
CAD $
CAD $
Strengthening health systems
3,296,023
1,574,462
Activating & equipping communities
668,983
470,585
Carrying out research
427,895
354,684
Advocacy, policy & partnership
363,386
271,372
Constituency education
582,504
643,672
Internal management and consulting
344,291
330,316
Designated government grant expenses
76,053
255,759
5,759,135
3,900,850
Support Services
Administration
534,834
646,771
Promotion
700,792
863,401
1,235,626
1,510,172
Recent Achievements & Future Plans
In July 2023, we launched TRANSFORM in Liberia alongside the Anesvad Foundation and American Leprosy Missions.
In partnership with the Government of Liberia’s Ministry of Health, TRANSFORM is designed to increase health system capacity, and improve accessibility and affordability for people who require NTD care.
Building upon our integrated NTD project which began in Liberia in 2013, TRANSFORM is unique in that it spans the entire country. Liberia was among the first countries to create a national integrated approach to managing skin diseases like leprosy. With NTDs being prevalent in all 15 counties in Liberia, access to the right care, at the right time, close to home, means less barriers to health for people affected.
In partnership with the Government of Liberia’s Ministry of Health, TRANSFORM is designed to increase health system capacity, and improve accessibility and affordability for people who require NTD care.
Building upon our integrated NTD project which began in Liberia in 2013, TRANSFORM is unique in that it spans the entire country. Liberia was among the first countries to create a national integrated approach to managing skin diseases like leprosy. With NTDs being prevalent in all 15 counties in Liberia, access to the right care, at the right time, close to home, means less barriers to health for people affected.
REDRESS, a research initiative we’ve been involved in for 4 years, is enhancing capacity and knowledge for addressing Skin NTDs in Liberia, while contributing to the development of person-centered policy at the national and global level.
The project has already significantly improved case detection for individuals with Skin NTDs, including a remarkable 325% increase in identifying overlooked leprosy cases.
REDRESS also bolstered Liberia’s health system research capacity, laying the groundwork for sustained progress in addressing Skin NTDs in the country.
The project has already significantly improved case detection for individuals with Skin NTDs, including a remarkable 325% increase in identifying overlooked leprosy cases.
REDRESS also bolstered Liberia’s health system research capacity, laying the groundwork for sustained progress in addressing Skin NTDs in the country.
In India, Bangladesh, and Ethiopia, UPLIFT is empowering Community Based Groups (CBGs) to influence systemic change in their health system. While the concept of CBGs is not new, the UPLIFT program is creating a best practice model that addresses the long-term needs of participants, equips groups with sustainable self-management practices, and is designed to mobilize communities to influence broader health system change.
Empowered CBGs can build broader community awareness, advocate for their needs, and influence policy and the provision of resources. Learnings from this project will be made widely available to other countries and organizations for the furthest impact possible.
Empowered CBGs can build broader community awareness, advocate for their needs, and influence policy and the provision of resources. Learnings from this project will be made widely available to other countries and organizations for the furthest impact possible.
Thought Leadership in Action
Our programs have been making waves in Canada and around the world, capturing the attention of academic and scientific communities alike.
In 2023 alone, we co-authored several research papers in collaboration with partners like the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. We also delivered presentations at global conferences like the NTD Non-Governmental Organization Network (NNN) annual conference in Tanzania. In addition, we led training activities for government officials, global health specialists and front-line healthcare workers.
In 2023 alone, we co-authored several research papers in collaboration with partners like the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. We also delivered presentations at global conferences like the NTD Non-Governmental Organization Network (NNN) annual conference in Tanzania. In addition, we led training activities for government officials, global health specialists and front-line healthcare workers.
Looking Ahead
Physiotherapy School to Open at Naini Hospital
We are eagerly anticipating the opening of a Physiotherapy school at TLM Naini Hospital in partnership with the Leprosy Mission Trust India. Preparations are currently underway to admit the first cohort of students as early as this fall, where they will earn a 4-year degree in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) program.
The school is designed to overcome the shortage of qualified physiotherapists in India and address the fact that many physiotherapists have never had any leprosy-specific training.
Physiotherapy helps individuals maintain and restore optimal function and mobility, and is an important part of the healing process for people with leprosy and other NTDs.
The school is designed to overcome the shortage of qualified physiotherapists in India and address the fact that many physiotherapists have never had any leprosy-specific training.
Physiotherapy helps individuals maintain and restore optimal function and mobility, and is an important part of the healing process for people with leprosy and other NTDs.
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Board Members
We are grateful for the thoughtful leadership and support of our dedicated board of directors.
Dr. Alison Krentel, Chair
Randy Henderson, Vice Chair
Joe Tabet, Secretary-Treasurer
Anthony Goodhoofd
Special thanks to the following outgoing board members who significantly contributed to our impact in 2023.
Peter Hogg
John Humphreys
Photo Credit: Tom Bradley
As we reflect on the past year, we know our work is far from over.
With your continued support, we are confident that the best is yet to come.
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Charitable Registration No.: 119241990 RR0001
REDRESS: An operational research project to identify person-centered strategies to detect, treat and support people living with severe stigmatizing skin diseases
TRANSFORM: Transforming lives through NTD care
Liberia Preventative Chemotherapy-NTD Project
TRANSFORM: Transforming lives through NTD care
Liberia Preventative Chemotherapy-NTD Project
Restore Project: Improving the quality of life of people affected by Leprosy
Dignity Project: Exploring strategies to effectively mobilise persons disabled as a result of NTDs to influence policy and programs to ensure a person-centered approach for affected persons
Dignity Project: Exploring strategies to effectively mobilise persons disabled as a result of NTDs to influence policy and programs to ensure a person-centered approach for affected persons
LivEx: Improving Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Persons Affected by NTDs
EMPOWER: Empowering Community Support Groups for a sustainable community-based NTD program in Kasai
PROYASH PHASE 4: Strengthens the government healthcare system so that people with leprosy living in remote communities can be identified and referred to appropriate services.
NUPIP: North-West Ultra Poverty Initiative Project
SCORE: Strengthening Capacity for Operational Research Excellence in Health and Wellbeing, Bangladesh
UPLIFT: Unlocking the Potential of Leprosy and NTD affected people to pursue Inclusive, Fulfilling and Transformational lives through a harmonized Community Based Group (CBG) model
NUPIP: North-West Ultra Poverty Initiative Project
SCORE: Strengthening Capacity for Operational Research Excellence in Health and Wellbeing, Bangladesh
UPLIFT: Unlocking the Potential of Leprosy and NTD affected people to pursue Inclusive, Fulfilling and Transformational lives through a harmonized Community Based Group (CBG) model
UPLIFT: Unlocking the Potential of Leprosy and NTD affected people to pursue Inclusive, Fulfilling and Transformational lives through a harmonized Community Based Group (CBG) model
PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT PROJECT FOR PERSONS AFFECTED BY LEPROSY: Provides a group counselling program for people affected by leprosy, and trains health workers to manage mental health issues.
Premananda Memorial Hospital, Kolkata: A tertiary hospital devoted to providing quality care for people affected by leprosy, along with other community members who need medical treatment.
Stanley Browne Laboratory: An active research centre for conducting laboratory-based research, as well as social and clinical research.
Naini Hospital: A renowned leprosy hospital providing quality tertiary care for patients with leprosy, as well as other diseases including skin diseases, diabetes, and cardiac diseases.
Institute of Paramedical Sciences: We anticipate the soon opening of the physiotherapy school at The Leprosy Mission Trust India, Naini Hospital. Students will earn a degree in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program, to address the shortage of qualified physiotherapists in India.
ASPIRE: Alleviating the burden of Skin diseases of affected People to improve Inclusion, Restoration, and Empowerment
SAMARTH: Madhya Pradesh Mental Health Project
HEAL: Health, Education, Advocacy and Livelihoods. Supports adults and children to pursue education, attend after-school program s, and learn sustainable livelihood skills. This program promotes active participation in governance and leadership roles.
UPLIFT: Unlocking the Potential of Leprosy and NTD affected people to pursue Inclusive, Fulfilling and Transformational lives through a harmonized Community Based Group (CBG) model
Stanley Browne Laboratory: An active research centre for conducting laboratory-based research, as well as social and clinical research.
Naini Hospital: A renowned leprosy hospital providing quality tertiary care for patients with leprosy, as well as other diseases including skin diseases, diabetes, and cardiac diseases.
Institute of Paramedical Sciences: We anticipate the soon opening of the physiotherapy school at The Leprosy Mission Trust India, Naini Hospital. Students will earn a degree in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program, to address the shortage of qualified physiotherapists in India.
ASPIRE: Alleviating the burden of Skin diseases of affected People to improve Inclusion, Restoration, and Empowerment
SAMARTH: Madhya Pradesh Mental Health Project
HEAL: Health, Education, Advocacy and Livelihoods. Supports adults and children to pursue education, attend after-school program s, and learn sustainable livelihood skills. This program promotes active participation in governance and leadership roles.
UPLIFT: Unlocking the Potential of Leprosy and NTD affected people to pursue Inclusive, Fulfilling and Transformational lives through a harmonized Community Based Group (CBG) model