Voice: Interview with Permata

PERMATA (Perhimpunan Mandiri Kusta) Indonesia was established in 2007 to fight the stigma associated with leprosy and eliminate discrimination against those suffering from the disease.

The organization was founded by a small group of individuals who had all been treated for leprosy. The founders worked to establish links with key figures amongst those suffering from the disease in communities in South Sulawesi, East Java and NTT, the three provinces where the rate of incidence of the disease is amongst the highest in Indonesia.

PERMATA is one of the Voice Grantees. The Voice Linking and Learning project aims to facilitate spaces where marginalized communities explore ways in which they can harness their creativity and turn their aspirations into actions with real social impact.