Many people believe leprosy has been eradicated, but the disease still affects people in one of Australia's closest neighbours, Papua New Guinea.

Ms Ulaston and Mr Oa are part of The Leprosy Mission - an organisation that hopes to eradicate leprosy through early identification, treatment, and improved living conditions.

"Leprosy is associated with poverty and is most present in communities with low income levels and not much access to basic services," Ms Ulaston said.

"We started work in 2017 and many people did not know they had leprosy because it was thought to be eradicated.

"We have been doing awareness programs through volunteers like John and the local media. They go through training on how to see the signs of leprosy.

"At our clinics they get the medications and then volunteers follow up with them."

The Leprosy Mission is supported by people in Australia, and Ms Ulaston and Mr Oa are on tour to thank "everyone giving us a hand to fight this illness".

The Leprosy Mission also conducts small business training and distributes low-interest loans to help people build small businesses in leprosy-affected communities.

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By building businesses, residents have a greater income and improved living conditions.

One of their proudest achievements is a partnership with the Women's Microbank.

"We don't do it because we want them to do a business, we see what they already do as a source of income and give them follow up training to help them build on that," Ms Ulaston said.

"We had some difficulties in the beginning. Banks were scared that leprosy-affected people would be coming in [to the bank].

"The CEO of the Women's Microbank was from India ,and he had experience with leprosy affected people.

"He spoke to his staff, and we came and did a leprosy awareness session with them and they agreed to work with us."

Mr Oa was able to take out loan to grow his business, and was motivated to give back by volunteering.

He came into contact with The Leprosy Mission after his older brother and niece were diagnosed with leprosy.

"I had a small business, but I was not good at it," he said.

"My business is a market on the highway. The Leprosy Mission came and helped us learn to look after our money, save and budget.

"Then I got my first loan to build my shop. The second loan I got is I built a tyre service.

"We now sell petrol and diesel as well as the market and tyre shop. My brother's children now work in the business too - it runs 24 hours, day and night."

He said the rate of leprosy in his community had plummeted.

"There are 25 people in my community with leprosy, and I have a heart for my community," he said.

"20 of those 25 have completed their medicine, and five are still completing them."

Ms Ulaston and Mr Oa spoke about their work at Nowra Church of Christ on Thursday, February 13.