Francisco A. V. Nunes, "Bacurau" (seated) is welcomed to Hongwei Village in China by IDEA members, including Honglu Zhou (standing, left)

 

A poet, playwright and journalist, Raoul Follereau first met people affected by leprosy in 1936 on one of his many trips around the world -- a meeting that would lead to life-long efforts to promote understanding and equity for people affected by leprosy, including the creation of World Leprosy Day, which is still celebrated annually throughout the world.

Francisco A.V. Nunes, better known as Bacurau, a teacher, author, composer, community leader, human rights advocate, founder of the social movement MORHAN and IDEA’s first President for Advocacy, personally experienced the injustices faced by those with leprosy, having been diagnosed with the disease at the age of five.