The Philippine Leprosy Mission, Inc. (PLM) is a not-for-profit organisation that has served the people affected by leprosy for the past 54 years. The Organisation has a long history of close interaction with leprosy patients and those with complications such as those disabled by nerve damage and psychological problems due to stigma (ex. suicidal ideation, attempts at self-­‐harm).

The Organisation has also been actively involved in policy making (as a member of National Leprosy Advisory Board), implementation and evaluation of leprosy control activities with the Department of Health-National Leprosy Control Programme.

The PALs for PALs project provides formal training and mentoring on public speaking and peer counselling to selected members of the Hansen’s Clubs of Philippine General Hospital and East Avenue Medical Centers. The Philippines contributes the highest number of new cases of leprosy detected annually (around  1000-2000) in the Western  Pacific  Region. Delayed diagnosis and treatment can be attributed to either lack of knowledge about the signs of leprosy or fear of being stigmatised as a leprosy patient in one’s community.

The project’s counsellors aim to help the individuals afflicted with the disease to process their thoughts and emotions and encouraging them, not only to continue the treatment process but to also accept their conditions and to lead normal lives.  This counselling programme will also be given to caregivers of the persons affected by leprosy.

By the end of the project, the trained spokespersons will be able to make public talks, interviews, and infomercials.