Shanti Leprahilfe Dortmund e.V.

About us

The Shanti Leprosy Aid Dortmund (SLD) was founded in 1992 on the initiative of Marianne Großpietsch from Dortmund, Germany. There are currently three locations in Nepal where SLD is active: in Kathmandu-Tilganga, in Budhanilkanta and in Sundarijal. Around 1000 people are cared for here or have found a new home. Young people or adults of all ages can volunteer there for several months.

Shanti is the Nepalese term for "peace", and exactly that is one of our most important goals. We want to help as many needy children and adults in Nepal as possible - the disabled, sick, outcasts - to regain their dignity. By giving them shelter, food, medical care, and a meaningful place within the human community that had previously rejected them. Because only in this equal coexistence can peace come about.

The Shanti Leprosy Aid Dortmund is based on the vision of achieving this goal for lepers and other people with disabilities in Nepal. The Nepalese partner association Shanti Sewa Griha in Kathmandu has the task of making this vision a reality on site.

This is achieved through a clinic with a pharmacy attached, and a medical outpatient clinic, with a kitchen that uses the products from their own organic farm and serves around 1000 meals a day, with a well for clean drinking water and various occupational therapies for those living in. These should also help to preserve and promote cultural techniques threatened with extinction such as Maitili painting and Dhaka weaving.

On request we can offer other net participants advice, give a presentation, and provide up-to-date information and contacts in the field of our work.