A healthcare worker treating a leprosy patient
55+
Years of Service
About NELRA

A Touch of Compassion
in Every Life We Reach

NELRA was established in 1969 under the chairmanship of HRH Princess Shanti Singh for the welfare and help of leprosy affected persons and their families, dispel the supersititions and wrong notions in the society, and help the leprosy control programs of Government.

NELRA further intensified its activities in the medical, children programs like (hostels, scholarships, vocational training), custodial care of old and disabled leprosy affected persons, rehabilitation, and other important fields like income generating programs, education, information and communication (EIC), and repealing backward laws.

Medical Support
Diagnosis, treatment & Princeps Memorial Leprosy Hospital Constructed
Children Programs
Hostel Programs, Scholarships and Vocational Training Programs
Custodial Care of Old and Disabled
Accommodation with fooding, clothing and medical care, Arogrya Asrams
Rehabilitation
Low cost housing, renovating dilapidated homes, resettlement of leprosy affected families
Discover Our Story
Our Impact

Numbers That Tell a
Human Story

Every number here represents a life changed, a family restored, a dignity reclaimed.

0
Patients Treated
0
Scholorship Provided
0
Children Educated with Hostels
0
Higher / Technical Education Provided
0
Professional Training Given
0
Houses Constructed and Provided for Support
0
Scholarships provided for children of Patients
Message from the Top

The Vision Behind NELRA

Bishnu Lal Shrestha, Founder
Dr. Ram Kumar Shrestha
Chairperson
“
Leprosy is not just a disease of the skin, it is a disease of isolation, shame, and silence. Our work is not complete when the bacteria is cured. It is complete only when a person can walk into their village with their head held high.

I started NELRA after spending years as a concerned citizen in rural Nepal, watching patients cured of leprosy but still broken by stigma. Medicine alone was not enough. We needed to heal communities, change mindsets, and rebuild lives.

With your support, we continue to believe that every human being, regardless of illness, disability or social standing, deserves to be treated with dignity and love.

Dr. Ram Kumar Shrestha
“
Curing the disease is only the first step; restoring dignity, acceptance, and hope is what truly transforms a life.

I joined this mission after witnessing how deeply stigma can wound a person long after the physical illness is gone. In the communities I’ve worked with, I have seen strength, resilience, and hope, but also the quiet pain of exclusion.

True healing goes beyond treatment; it requires acceptance, opportunity, and compassion. Through our work, I am committed to helping individuals reclaim not just their health, but their confidence, their place in society, and their sense of belonging.

Bishnu Lal Shrestha
Bishnu Lal Shrestha, Founder
Bishnu Lal Shrestha
General Secretary
Voices of Hope

Stories From Those We Serve

Hear directly from patients whose lives have been transformed through NELRA's programs.

Govinda Subedi
Basnbari, Kathmandu

"Before, I lived on the edge of my village in a small, broken shelter where people rarely came near me. Even after I was cured, the isolation stayed. When I was given a new home in a welcoming community, everything changed. For the first time in years, I felt safe, accepted, and seen. Now I wake up each day with hope, knowing I am no longer alone."

★★★★★
Kanchi Bhandari
Tapal, Kathmandu

"I always feared that my illness would define my children’s future. People kept their distance, and opportunities felt out of reach. But when my daughter received a scholarship, it changed everything. She worked hard, became an engineer, and proved that our story is not one of limitation, but of strength. Today, I stand proud—not just as a survivor, but as a parent who dared to believe in a better future."

★★★★★
Chature Sunar
Chaghere, Chalnakhel

"My house was falling apart, just like my confidence. Living in those conditions reminded me every day of what I had lost. When my home was rebuilt, it was more than just walls and a roof—it gave me back my dignity. Now, I can invite neighbors in, sit without shame, and feel like a part of the community again. It restored not just my home, but my sense of belonging."

★★★★★
Devi Prasad Adhikari
Lamatar, Pokhara

"After my treatment, I was healthy—but no one would give me work. I felt invisible and dependent on others. Through the support I received, I was able to start a small business of my own. Today, I earn with dignity and provide for my family. More than income, it gave me back my confidence and my place in society."

★★★★★
Shrimari Arati Bist
Sankosh, Dhading

"For years, I lived among people who feared me, even after I was cured. I stopped attending gatherings and kept to myself. But when awareness programs came to our village, things slowly changed. Neighbors began to speak to me again, and I was welcomed back into community events. It healed a part of me that medicine never could."

★★★★★
Santaman Maharjan
Gaddhaghar, Bhaktapur

"I had to leave school because of my condition and the way others treated me. I thought my education had ended forever. But with support, I was able to return to my studies. Sitting in a classroom again gave me hope and purpose. Now, I dream of building a future where my past does not define me."

★★★★★

Join Us in Ending Leprosy's Shadow

A small donation can fund a complete MDT treatment course, restore a family's livelihood, or send a child to school. Every contribution matters.

Donate Today Volunteer With Us