At 6 a.m., Senegal time, as dawn was barely breaking, we boarded the bus bound for the remote leprosy village of , some 470 miles away from our base camp.

                                                               The soothing hum of the engine caused many of us to slumber.

 

By 9:30 a.m., it was time to stop for a short break. The driver’s announcement jolted us from our light sleep. After the short stop, we were back on the road, continuing our journey to Fadiga.

                                                               The loudspeaker delivered the driver’s voice to every corner of the bus.

 

The morning’s session on the bus had been planned meticulously by Dr. Zhong Zhihong and Dr. Zhao Zhuangzhi. The topic was leprosy. Dr. Zhong kicked off the discussion with a detailed explanation of the disease’s pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment approaches. Her engaging presentation sparked intense curiosity among the children, prompting them to ask numerous questions about how leprosy is transmitted and whether it could be contracted by shaking hands with an infected person.

Dr. Zhao Zhuangzhi, a professor of neurology, took the baton smoothly, addressing the children’s concerns from a neurological perspective. He explained that leprosy is caused by a bacterium like the one responsible for tuberculosis and generally requires prolonged, close contact for transmission, mainly through respiratory droplets or direct contact with open wounds. Casual contact like handshakes or hugs, she reassured, would not result in transmission, and some individuals even have natural immunity to the disease.

Seizing the moment, Dr. Zhong continued with enthusiasm, delving into topics such as upper respiratory infections, common dermatological conditions like eczema and fungal infections, and acne – a topic of great interest to adolescents. She emphasized how having medical knowledge not only helps others but can also be used for self-care, presenting medicine as a meaningful and rewarding career worth pursuing.

The professors’ eloquent explanations ignited a strong interest in medicine among the teenagers, linking their compassion with a thirst for knowledge. This made the teachers profoundly aware of the significant responsibility they held in educating these young minds. Educating, imparting knowledge, and resolving difficulties is our mission, they felt, and fostering growth in children through acts of kindness is our steadfast endeavor.

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

Jun Xu’s WeChat: jun9174343767

Email: Africacriesout@gmail.com

Public WeChat account: LifeExploring (人生天路)

Website: https://africacriesout.net

 

Editors in charge: Cao Juanjuan, Zhang Kun

Translator: Xu Yu

English editor: Xi Wang

Editor: Doris Cruz