When podiatrist Alison Clark-Morris first visited the Village of HOPE in New Delhi to provide foot care for those suffering from the effects of leprosy, she didn’t know she was starting a life-changing journey of compassion and service.

“It’s so fulfilling. I strongly feel that this is something that other podiatrists should experience,” Alison said. “The bandaging unit patients are like another family. I can’t just turn my back on them.”

As an expert podiatrist with experience in diabetic foot ulceration, Alison easily saw how her expertise could help with the foot problems caused by leprosy. Many leprosy patients experience sensory neuropathy in their feet, so they can no longer feel them — making them vulnerable to burns, cracks, and injuries.

Vigilant foot care is a necessity — even a small injury or a stone in their shoe can quickly become a major problem, leading to eventual loss of extremities due to infection.

After her first visit to the village’s bandaging unit in 2017, she couldn’t forget the patients, which began her journey as an advocate for the village. Since her first visit, Alison has made many contributions to the village, including inspiring other podiatrists and medical professionals to volunteer their services at the Village of HOPE, training staff and patients on the essentials of wound care, fundraising for tricycles, additional lighting, clinical trolleys, footwear and blankets, introducing the Cliniko software system to track patient numbers and the progression of their healing, training staff to use Doppler ultrasound to track blood flow to the feet, and more.

To date, Alison has visited the Village of HOPE seven times and has raised approximately £20,000 for the needs of the bandaging unit.

Her long-term dream? To establish a footwear lab in the Village of HOPE that would make custom orthotics for bandaging unit patients, allowing any wounds to the feet to heal properly.

“As for me, I want to concentrate on prevention and empowering the patients to look after their feet,” Alison said. “I find it very rewarding; it’s good to be able to use my skills in this way. Even if I stop going, I will always advocate for other podiatrists to go.”

She added, “It’s a symbiotic relationship; you get as much as you give.”

The Village of HOPE and HOPE worldwide UK are grateful for the continued partnership with Alison.

“Alison has been like an angel for the Village of HOPE,” said Apem Wungchipem, programme manager for the Village of HOPE.

“And with her support, we have been able to provide tricycles and footwear to our patients. Such support brings a big relief and smile to the patients. Our patients wait for her visits because of her lovely service.”