This 2024, Africa Cries Out team has a total of 148 volunteer workers from all over the world, consists of 30 people from Brazil, 2 doctors from China, 1 doctor from Germany, and majority from the United States that includes Chinese team of 34 doctors, 29 other professionals, 55 students, and 1 doctor/physical therapist who is originally from the Philippines. The first batch of the team arrived at the Blaise Diagne International Airport in Dakar at around 2:50pm and immediately headed to the base camp for a quick orientation, then promptly started organizing and sorting out medicines needed for the next day’s activity.

 

 

The highlights from day 1 are as follows:

1 .Brand-name drugs worth US$600,000 jointly donated by two major American charitable organizations, Direct Relief and Americares, have been cleared through customs without any problems. Air Senegal, Senegal’s flag carrier, saw our love and concern for Senegal thru the number of our baggage. There was not enough space for checked baggage, but Air Senegal made sure that we have all our baggage together and gave us free space at the baggage claim area.   ‍

 

2. As soon as the teenagers and parents arrived at the base camp, they immediately started preparing the medicine. Everyone has their own areas of expertise; they think as one heart and work hard to prepare for the next day’s outpatient consultations. Working continuously despite jet lag is an exercise for the children, and supervision by the parents. They have to set an example and be a good model for their children.

 

3. At the brief introduction meeting in the base, we would like to express our special thanks to the following caring people who all made great efforts to make this  year’s trip to Africa go smooth and fruitful.

Jack Yang, he bought kitchen equipment, audio equipment and hydraulic equipment in China, and arranged shipping to the Africa Cries Out Base before we arrived, so that we could enjoy the convenience of modern equipment.

 

 

 

Dr. Chris Liu has devoted a lot of time and effort in the organization and coordination of activities for the youth team this year, which has made our trip go smoothly, while Professor Jiang once again led the surgical team in coordinating with the hospital, local and volunteer doctors to carry out gynecological surgeries.

 

4. The best highlight is for our stomachs, as gourmet food will be served. Mr. Wang Xinwen is a retired chemist whose hobby is cooking. He cooks delicious Chinese food for his church gatherings. This time all our team members are lucky to get great food! Authentic ingredients native to Senegal, free-range chickens, and mouth-watering seafood are all waving to our volunteer workers. While spreading camaraderie and educating children, there is also delicious food. This should be a motivation for everyone to come again next year.

 

The star-studded Mr. Wang Xinwen, our great chef is all smiles. He will show off his skills in this modern kitchen, allowing us to enjoy the delicacies native to Africa. Even if time passes in the future, this will probably be the most memorable experience of this trip.

 

 

Please stay tuned for our follow-up reports. It has been eleven years since we started going to Africa to do volunteer medical care. Every time we go there, we encounter so many obstacles and hardships, but these don’t discourage us because the rewards are truly indescribable. No child has ever regretted going there, and no adult has backed down. You give your finances, time, skills, and effort, and what you get in return is extreme happiness and satisfaction that no amount of money can buy.  We welcome everyone to join us in our voluntary mission next year!

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If you feel moved to support our ministry in Africa, please contact us：

Jun Xu’s WeChat ID: jun9174343767

Email: Africacriesout@gmail.com

Public WeChat ID: LifeExploring

Web page: https://africacriesout.net

 

Editors in charge: Cao Juanjuan, Zhang Kun

Translator: Silvia R.

English editor: Xi Wang

Editor: Doris Cruz