About Us
Our History
Timeline
Over 132 Years of impact
Effect Hope’s journey spans over a century of innovation and partnership—mobilizing Canadian support for global health and pioneering evidence-based models that advance dignity, inclusion, and equity for vulnerable communities worldwide. Our mission has always centred around people and a relentless pursuit of a world free from the injustice of neglected tropical diseases.
The Leprosy Mission Canada 1892 – 2014
Effect Hope began as The Leprosy Mission Canada in 1892, mobilizing Canadian support for global leprosy work, expanding from funding hospitals and rehabilitation centers to pioneering multi-drug therapy and community-based rehabilitation, laying the foundation for a compassionate, partnership-driven movement.
A New Beginning 2014 — 2019
In 2014, the organization transitioned to Effect Hope, broadening its mandate from leprosy-only to neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), launching global research initiatives, embedding NTD programs into national health systems, and co-founding the Canadian Network for NTDs to elevate advocacy and impact.
Current Era 2020 — Today
Since 2020, Effect Hope has led innovative, evidence-based approaches—introducing peer-led models, integrating mental health into NTD care, scaling holistic interventions, earning international research recognition, and advancing global best practices and gender equity in health systems through strategic partnerships and advocacy.
> 1874
Global Beginnings
The Leprosy Mission International began in 1874, founded by Wellesley Bailey in response to the needs of people with leprosy in India. It would grow into a global organization, pioneering medical care, advocacy, and support for those affected by leprosy worldwide.
> 1892
The Leprosy Mission Canada Established
Canada joins the worldwide TLM movement — channeling support, funding, and awareness from Canadian churches and communities to global leprosy work. From the beginning, Canadians played a hands-on role—supporting hospitals and rehabilitation centres, contributing financially, and sending missionaries, clinicians, and technical specialists who worked alongside communities across Asia and Africa.
Rooted in a legacy of compassion and Christian faith, our mandate was to bring healing in the name of Jesus—a calling that continues to shape us today. Motivated by this same faith, we strive to reflect compassion and example of Jesus in every partnership, program, and community we serve.
Rooted in a legacy of compassion and Christian faith, our mandate was to bring healing in the name of Jesus—a calling that continues to shape us today. Motivated by this same faith, we strive to reflect compassion and example of Jesus in every partnership, program, and community we serve.
> 1980s – 1990s
Canadian Support Expands Internationally
Canadian partners help scale multi-drug therapy
(MDT) distribution worldwide — a breakthrough
that turns leprosy from a life-sentence into a
curable disease.
> 1983
CCCC Accreditation
Through regular compliance audits, we have maintained full accreditation with the Canadian Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC) since 1983 — affirming Effect Hope’s integrity, transparency, and commitment to ethical best practices.
> 1992
Peter Derrick Named Executive Director
Appointed Executive Director of The Leprosy Mission Canada, Peter Derrick guided the organization through 27 years of transformation, expanding its reach, influence and impact. His tenure marked a period of bold innovation and organizational evolution. He served faithfully until his retirement in 2019.
> 2000s
Shifting to Community Rehabilitation
Programs evolve beyond treatment, focusing on
community-based rehabilitation and restoring
independence for people living with disabilities
caused by leprosy.
> 2012
First Global NTD Road Map
After formally categorizing neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) in the early 2000s, the WHO publishes its first NTD road map to elevate equity and strengthen integration.
> Ongoing
A Legacy of Compassionate Partnership
Canadian donors sustain long-term partnerships
across Africa and South Asia, building the
foundation for what would become Effect Hope
— a broader movement for dignity, inclusion, and
global health equity.
> 2014
Transition to Effect Hope
In response to a growing need for integration, The Leprosy Mission Canada was rebranded as Effect Hope. This shift reflected our recognition that the neglect experienced by people affected by other NTDs mirrored the longstanding injustice faced by those with leprosy — and our commitment to shine a light on issues that remain underfunded, overlooked, or ignored. We established our own International Programs department, building a portfolio of transformative initiatives that expanded the availability, accessibility, and quality of NTD care across Asia and Africa.
As Effect Hope, we continued collaborating closely with the global Leprosy Mission network to advance inclusive, community led solutions in the areas we work.
As Effect Hope, we continued collaborating closely with the global Leprosy Mission network to advance inclusive, community led solutions in the areas we work.
> 2015
Launch of R2STOP (Research to Stop Transmission)
The first global research initiative to stop leprosy
transmission through biomarker discovery and
resistance studies — redefining how the world
fights leprosy.
> 2016
Implemented a four year early childhood health initiative that strengthened community health systems and expanded access to essential care for young children. In partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Every Child Thrives reached more than 1.8 million children in Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire with lifesaving vitamin A supplementation and deworming treatments. Through community based delivery and local training, the program reduced preventable illness and improved longterm health outcomes for children most at risk.
> 2016 – 2019
Partnered with Ministries of Health to embed NTD programs into national systems
Strengthening existing structures, building local ownership, and ensuring care continues long after external projects end.
> 2018
The Canadian Network for NTDs Begins
Co-founded a national coalition to raise
awareness, political will, and funding for NTD
elimination — putting NTDs on Canada’s global
health agenda.
> 2019
New Leadership, Renewed Vision
Kim Evans becomes CEO, ushering in a new era
of innovation, impact, and global partnership.
> 2020
Launch of UPLIFT model
A community-based peer model led by people
affected by NTDs — championing dignity, building
inclusion, and transforming stigma into advocacy
across Asia and Africa.
> 2020
Mental Health Integrated into NTD Care
Expanded programs like IMAGINE (Ghana) and
Peace of Mind (DRC) are among the first to embed
mental health within NTD treatment, creating a
holistic approach now influencing global practice.
> 2021
ASPIRE launches in Bihar, India
The first model in India to integrate multiple SkinNTDs into a single, holistic intervention, a model
that the WHO has labelled the most effective for
Skin-NTD control in India.
> 2023
Research Recognition
Published in International Health (Oxford),
establishing Effect Hope as a respected research
partner advancing global NTD studies and
evidence-based approaches.
> 2023
TRANSFORM Program Expansion
TRANSFORM scales to all 15 counties in Liberia,
strengthening national health systems and
advancing equitable access to care for every
Liberian by 2027.
> 2024
Enhanced Leadership Capacity for Global Impact
Strengthened our leadership structure to deepen policy influence and enhance program impact. Dr. Anna Wickenden became Vice-President, Advocacy & Strategic Partnerships, a role we created to expand our relationships with institutional funders and policy makers. Maneesh Phillip was promoted to Vice-President, International Programs to guide the scale up of our flagship programs and ensure responsiveness to emerging global health trends.
> 2024
Advancing Global Best Practices
Studies on supply chain integration, disability
inclusion (Dignity Project), and peer-support
effectiveness (HOPE) generate new evidence
adopted across global NTD programs — shaping
how inclusive, community-led care is delivered.
> 2024
REDRESS Program Completion & Global Recognition
Successfully concluded the REDRESS program, advancing disability inclusion and equitable NTD care across multiple countries. REDRESS received the Times Higher Education International Collaboration of the Year Award, recognizing exceptional global partnership and research impact.
> 2024
Partnership with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
LSTM to advance collaborative research,
advocacy, and capacity-building — strengthening
global expertise and NTD program quality.
> 2025
Top 10 Impact Charity in 2025
Recognized by Charity Intelligence Canada as a Top 10 Impact Charity in 2025, while maintaining Top 100 Charity status in Canada for the 6th consecutive year for excellence, accountability, and measurable impact.
> 2025
International Research Recognition
Featured in Frontiers in Tropical Diseases and
other peer-reviewed journals, positioning Effect
Hope as one of Canada’s leading NGOs in
evidence-based global health and a trusted
research partner worldwide.
> 2025
Global Leadership in Women’s Health
Partnered with Unlimit Health and the Liberian
Ministry of Health to develop the world’s first
integrated national strategy for Female Genital
Schistosomiasis (FGS) — embedding women’s
health within NTD care for the first time and
setting a new global standard for gender equity
in health systems.
Timeline
132 Years of imapct
Our history reflects the core values that
continue to define us today, along with a
steadfast commitment to empowering
vulnerable individuals and communities.
The Leprosy Mission Canada 1892 – 2014
With humility, we strive to reflect the compassion and example of Jesus in all that we do.
To Present Day 2014 — 2019
Our work is designed for and in collaboration with the people we serve. We are committed to fostering authentic relationships and investing in genuine collaboration to create meaningful and lasting impact.
Current Era 2020 — 2025
Our commitment to integrity, accountability, transparency, effectiveness, and excellence drives us to create meaningful impact in everything we do. We operate with honesty and clarity.
>1874
Global Beginnings
Motivated by our faith and driven by a shared vision towards a future free from the injustice of neglected tropical diseases, the people who work at Effect Hope are passionate and purpose-driven.
> 1892
The Leprosy Mission Canada Established
Canada joins the worldwide TLM movement —
channeling support, funding, and awareness from
Canadian churches and communities to global
leprosy work.
Canadian Support Expands Internationally
First Canadian-led contributions fund leprosy
hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and colonies
across Asia and Africa, helping thousands access
care and community.
> 1980s – 1990s
Canadian Support Expands Internationally
Canadian partners help scale multi-drug therapy
(MDT) distribution worldwide — a breakthrough
that turns leprosy from a life-sentence into a
curable disease.
> 2000s
Shifting to Community Rehabilitation
Programs evolve beyond treatment, focusing on
community-based rehabilitation and restoring
independence for people living with disabilities
caused by leprosy.
> Ongoing
A Legacy of Compassionate Partnership
Canadian donors sustain long-term partnerships
across Africa and South Asia, building the
foundation for what would become Effect Hope
— a broader movement for dignity, inclusion, and
global health equity.
> 2014
Transition to Effect Hope
Our mandate expands from leprosy-only to
neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), a bold shift
from being disease-focused to people-focused.
> 2015
Launch of R2STOP (Research to Stop Transmission)
The first global research initiative to stop leprosy
transmission through biomarker discovery and
resistance studies — redefining how the world
fights leprosy.
> 2016 – 2019
Partnered with Ministries of Health to embed NTD programs into national systems
Moving from short-term programs to lasting
infrastructure.
> 2018
The Canadian Network for NTDs Begins
Co-founded a national coalition to raise
awareness, political will, and funding for NTD
elimination — putting NTDs on Canada’s global
health agenda.
> 2019
New Leadership, Renewed Vision
Kim Evans becomes CEO, ushering in a new era
of innovation, impact, and global partnership.
> 2020
Launch of UPLIFT model
A community-based peer model led by people
affected by NTDs — championing dignity, building
inclusion, and transforming stigma into advocacy
across Asia and Africa.
> 2020
Mental Health Integrated into NTD Care
Expanded programs like IMAGINE (Ghana) and
Peace of Mind (DRC) — among the first to embed
mental health within NTD treatment, creating a
holistic approach now influencing global practice.
> 2021
ASPIRE launches in Bihar, India
The first model in India to integrate multiple SkinNTDs into a single, holistic intervention, a model
that the WHO has labelled the most effective for
Skin-NTD control in India.
> 2023
Research Recognition
Published in International Health (Oxford),
establishing Effect Hope as a respected research
partner advancing global NTD studies and
evidence-based approaches.
> 2023
TRANSFORM Program Expansion
TRANSFORM scales to all 15 counties in Liberia,
strengthening national health systems and
advancing equitable access to care for every
Liberian by 2027.
> 2024
Global Advocacy Leadership
Dr. Anna Wickenden, VP of Advocacy & Strategic
Partnerships, appointed Lead Chair of the WHO
Advocacy and Communications Working Group —
elevating Effect Hope’s voice in shaping
international NTD policy and global awareness.
> 2024
Advancing Global Best Practices
Studies on supply chain integration, disability
inclusion (Dignity Project), and peer-support
effectiveness (HOPE) generate new evidence
adopted across global NTD programs — shaping
how inclusive, community-led care is delivered
> 2024
REDRESS Program Completion & Global Recognition
Successfully concluded the REDRESS program,
advancing disability inclusion and equitable NTD
care across multiple countries. Received Times
Higher Education’s International Collaboration of
the Year Award, recognizing exceptional global
partnership and research impact.
> 2024
Partnership with Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
Signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
LSTM to advance collaborative research,
advocacy, and capacity-building — strengthening
global expertise and NTD program quality.
> 2025
CCCC Accreditation
Achieved full accreditation with the Canadian
Centre for Christian Charities (CCCC) —
affirming Effect Hope’s integrity, transparency,
and commitment to ethical best practices in
faith-based global health.
> 2025
Top 10 Impact Charity, 5 Years Running
Recognized by Charity Intelligence Canada as a
Top 100 Charity for the 6th consecutive year,
while maintaining a 5-star rating for excellence,
accountability and measurable impact.
> 2025
International Research Recognition
Featured in Frontiers in Tropical Diseases and
other peer-reviewed journals, positioning Effect
Hope as one of Canada’s leading NGOs in
evidence-based global health and a trusted
research partner worldwide.
> 2025
Global Leadership in Women’s Health
Partnered with Unlimit Health and the Liberian
Ministry of Health to develop the world’s first
integrated national strategy for Female Genital
Schistosomiasis (FGS) — embedding women’s
health within NTD care for the first time and
setting a new global standard for gender equity
in health systems.