Over ten days, from 11 to 20 October, we conducted the first phase of the Sasakawa Young Scholar Program leadership training at the KPD Training Center in the Jongaya leprosy settlement, Makassar. We were privileged to be guided by an outstanding group of facilitators: Mustaman Mahruddin, senior leprosy trainer across Indonesia; Hendra Dini, senior leprosy supervisor of Gowa District; Angga Yanuar, disability and leprosy activist from Yogyakarta; disability leader Bambang Permadi and English artist Phill Bebb.
The training covered a wide range of topics, including leprosy basics and advanced knowledge, public speaking, organizational development, the leprosy situation in Gowa, and a creative painting session where participants expressed themselves through portraits—both sad and joyful.
Alongside our five scholars, up to twenty other young people affected by leprosy joined whenever they could, enriching the experience with their presence. It was a truly inspiring time, full of new knowledge, creativity, and friendships that will continue to grow.
Many thanks to everyone involved and to Sasakawa Health Foundation!
