Brief Background about Anandvan

ANANDVAN
(Literally meaning Forest-Of-Joy)

• Maharogi Sewa Samiti (MSS) was founded in the year 1949 by Murlidhar "Baba" Amte in Anandvan (2 hours ahead of Nagpur) to restore the dignity of leprosy stricken and disabled people by helping them to enhance their livelihood capabilities. 
 

• MSS has been relentlessly working towards the betterment of stigmatized and marginalized people such as those afflicted with leprosy, hearing & speech impaired, visually challenged, orthopedically challenged and socially & economically backward rural & tribal populace.
 

• MSS currently provides permanent shelter to 2500 differently abled people who live with dignity to earn their livelihoods created by the numerous initiatives of MSS.
 

• India reports about 70% of the total leprosy cases in the world. In the last six decades, Anandvan has impacted 2.6 Million disadvantaged people and has grown tremendously from nothing and now houses the largest community of leprosy afflicted and people with other disabilities in India, perhaps in the world!
 

• Of the different problems MSS faces, revenue being one; government grants form 12% of the total revenue of Anandvan. It goes without saying that it heavily depends on donations from ordinary people like you and I for its continual running.  Other problems being social stigma surrounding leprosy and their rejection even after being cured of the disease.