Bethany Leprosy Colony is beside the railway line from Chennai to Kolkata. It is a small community of people affected by leprosy located on the edge of Bapatla town in Andhra Pradesh.
Bethany is a busy place where the elderly and young go about their lives as in most other villages in the area. Bethany Leprocy Colony Association (BCLA) was registered as a society in 1965. Today they run programmes for Youngsters, Adults and Elders from their Society. A Creche (Day Care Centre) , Primary School and High School provide Education to the children. Further Education is guaranteed through sponsorship for 80% of the costs of young people for professional or technical education. Elders get support through Custodial Care, a Meals programme and a Health Care Clinic.
Adults are supported in terms of income generation. A Rehab Unit was set up and a Women’s Society called Jone Priyadarshini Mahila Mandal: Run by the members of 19 women’s self help groups. Participants get vocational trainings in tailoring and are empowered to set up their own businesses through conveying enteupreneural skills.