4-9 February 2026
PerMaTa South Sulawesi and YDTI were honored to host the International Exchange Meeting of Young Scholars, together with their mentors and the Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative (SLI) team, in Makassar.
For five days, young scholars from Colombia, Bangladesh, India, and Indonesia presented their work, shared what they have learned, and outlined their plans for the future. Mentors reported on how they support the scholars, discussed challenges, and explored ways to strengthen the program.
Field Visit to Maros
The group was warmly welcomed by Pak Hassan, Head of Disease Control, the Head of the Health Department, and the Bupati of Maros. Another highlight was meeting Rijal, a young man affected by leprosy who overcame difficult times with the team’s support and is now an active PerMaTa member.
Community Visits
Participants also visited Jongaya Settlement and our office, followed by moments of cultural exchange, namely shopping, and sightseeing.
Inspiration and Collaboration
This gathering was a wonderful opportunity to share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen motivation to continue supporting and empowering young people affected by leprosy.
Our heartfelt thanks to everyone who joined and contributed to this inspiring exchange.
