PerMaTa is a people’s organization founded in Indonesia in February 2007. It operates in three provinces — East Java, South Sulawesi, and East Nusa Tenggara — and has 2,100 members nationwide.
In early March, the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative visited branches in four districts of South Sulawesi — Bantaeng, Bulukumba, Gowa, and Jeneponto — and asked young members to share their aspirations as leaders. Their inspirational responses confirm the importance of opportunities to receive peer support and experience fellowship.
Bantaeng
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bantaeng_Eka-32.jpg)
Eka (32)
It is not easy to advocate at the health office sometimes, but supporting those in need gives me motivation!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bantaeng_Fira-19.jpg)
Fira (19)
I joined PerMaTa in 2022. Happy to support those who suffered like me.
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bantaeng_Safwan-24.jpg)
Safwan (24)
I’m so happy to have made so many friends from PerMaTa!
Bulukumba
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bulukumba_Ardi-38.jpg)
Ardi (38)
Happy to contribute not only to Bulukumba but also to the whole of PerMaTa!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Baentang_Sukma-25.jpg)
Sukma (25)
Glad to know I’m not alone with the challenges I am facing due to leprosy.
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Bulukumba_Zul-23.jpg)
Zul (23)
I have more confidence in myself now!
Gowa
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Apli16.jpg)
Apli(16)
I’m so happy to have new friends!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Arfah-21.jpg)
Arfah (21)
My dream is to be a leader who really supports persons affected by leprosy!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Dewi-Sri31.jpg)
Dewi Sri (31)
It‘s my great joy to see young persons affected by leprosy get better!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Ermawati33.jpg)
Ermawati (33)
I want as many people as possible to know the correct knowledge about leprosy!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Firdaus19.jpg)
Firdaus (19)
Glad I’ve made new friends! I want to widen this circle!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Iyank-21.jpg)
Iyank (19)
Having good friends has made every day better!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Rahmat-25-1.jpg)
Rahmat (25)
We are committed to spreading correct knowledge about leprosy in order to achieve an Indonesia free from stigma and discrimination.
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa.Rahmawati27jpg.jpg)
Rahmawati (27)
I want to support those who suffer!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Rahmawati-32.jpg)
Rahmawati (32)
I want to support more young people affected by leprosy!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Ridho21.jpg)
Ridho (21)
The moments when young persons affected by leprosy open up to me gives me great joy!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Roni-26-1.jpg)
Roni (26)
I found out that there are many young friends suffering more than I did. I want to help and support those in need!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Salmawati40.jpg)
Salmawati (40)
I am responsible for a microfinance project. I want to support my fellows on the financial side!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Gowa_Zulfikar-25.jpg)
Zulfikar (25)
To be a young man who helps others has been my wish since I was a little boy, and with PerMaTa that wish has come true. I am very grateful.
Jeneponto
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Janeponto_Eka-23.jpg)
Eka (23)
The reaction prevented me from going to school for a year. I now find fulfillment in supporting others who suffer as I once did.
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Janeponto_Firman-32.jpg)
Firman (32)
Two years ago I was locked in my room. Now I am happy every day. And I want to support those who suffer as I did.
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Janeponto_Kaharuddin-33.jpg)
Kaharuddin (33)
I will continue to visit those who suffer until they get better!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Janeponto_Kasmawati-27.jpg)
Kasmawati (27)
Happy to have such good friends. PerMaTa is my family.
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Janeponto_Rudi-20.jpg)
Rudi (20)
I had an operation on my hand last year after a delay in treatment. Now I am well and I am working hard and enjoying my life with my friends.
Takalar
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/名称未設定のデザイン-2023-04-18T114634.815-1024x1024.png)
Nirwana (23)
I want to contribute more for persons affected by leprosy!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Takalar_Yuliati-32-1.jpg)
Yuliati (32)
I’ll do my best to support young persons affected by leprosy!
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/snsb_3.png)
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/snsb_2.png)
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/snsb_1.png)
![](https://sasakawaleprosyinitiative.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/sns_insta-1.png)