Dr. Xu Jun is with the child
I have been volunteering to practice medicine in West Africa multiple times since 2013. In the depths of Senegal, I have witnessed many poor children begging on the streets while our children were still in their parents' arms; I also saw them picking up our discarded chicken bones and munching on them because of hunger; I also saw them sitting happily in a well ventilated "classroom" learning scientific knowledge. In this article, I will share with you my understanding of the tragic experiences of African children, and I also want to tell you that many heroes have sacrificed their youth and lives to save these lovely children.
Worried Malibu children struggling to beg for 40 cents a day
1、 I'm hungry, Dr. Xu!
One morning in March 2013, I visited over 120 patients in a jungle village. For lunch, I had an African dish called "Chicken Yassa". The roasted chicken from Africa was charred black and placed on top of fragrant white rice. The chicken fat dyed the rice with a shiny yellow aroma. My son Xu Lufei and I, who were still first-year students in medical school, picked up a piece of chicken and ate it in big bites. Chicken is indeed a very ordinary food for us. After taking a few bites, we casually threw the chicken bones, which still had a lot of meat, into a yellow bucket.
Suddenly, my eyes widened as a group of children surrounded us. They extended their dirty little hands and nibbled on the remaining chicken meat on the bones with their sharp teeth. A few younger children couldn't compete with the older ones and could only stand beside them drooling.
The children picked up the chicken bones we discarded from the yellow bucket
Seeing these children, I no longer have an appetite. I told my teammates, "We're not eating anymore, let them eat
The children rushed forward and surrounded the lunch we left for them. I noticed a child with tears in his eyes, holding rice in both hands and desperately stuffing it into his mouth. I asked Pastor Nielsen, 'How do they eat like this?'
Pastor Nielsen said, "You may not know, they may not have had such a good meal for two or three months
A child who has been hungry for several days, devouring food with tears in their eyes
2、I want to learn
In March 2013, I sang and enjoyed happy moments with the children at a school established by our team in Guinea Bissau. Suddenly, a child's face appeared at the locked entrance of the school. The eager expression in his eyes shook my heart. How can we help millions of children like him?
I want to read
Guinea Bissau in West Africa has a population of 15 million, with an estimated literacy rate of 42.4%,. The population of Senegal is 13.3 million, with a literacy rate of only 49.7% for those aged 15 and above. Our team built three schools in Guinea Bissau and mobilized surrounding students to come to school, but surprisingly no one was willing. In the end, we decided to provide free school uniforms and lunch, and only then did we enroll a total of 450 students. Many parents decided to let their children go to school out of consideration for the free lunch.
Lack of culture has led to ignorance among the entire population. Their average age is 50 years old, and each woman gives birth to an average of 5 children. The infant mortality rate is 50%. When they reach the age of 30, their lives are fixed, and they have to sadly wait for death to come when they enter old age.
3、I have a big head
Who can save me?
In March 2017, I sweated profusely in a jungle village and watched many patients. Suddenly, a mother came to me with a big headed child and looked at me with tears in her eyes, saying, "Dr. Xu, can you help this child
Big headed child
The surgery for this child will cost about 22000 US dollars, and my heart tightened. I thought at the time that this was caused by a blockage in the cerebrospinal fluid, and surgery might solve his problem, but I couldn't raise so much money.
After returning to the United States, his big head often sways in my mind. What should I do? What should I do? I consulted some doctors, and they told me that although this child has a blockage caused by hydrocephalus, he is already a compensatory blockage and should be able to grow up with a big head. Due to the high risk of surgery, there is a high possibility of death on the operating table.
Their words gave me some comfort that he doesn't necessarily need surgery. In West Africa, I often see many sick children and their parents with eager eyes, hoping that I can save them.
But what else can I do? I can only show them some less complicated diseases. For those diseases that I cannot see, we often give them all the money we bring with us, asking them to seek treatment at large hospitals. However, this money is still a drop in the bucket for their needs.
4、How was Malibu devastated
African children?
Marabout is an Islamic educational institution located in various West African countries. Throughout history, many Islamic teachers and religious leaders were referred to as Marabout, and they were a branch of the Islamic Brotherhood.
In Senegal, the average life expectancy is 50 years, each woman gives birth to an average of 5 children, and the infant mortality rate is 50%. Because half of the children in most families cannot be raised, the Malibu people took the opportunity to enter and demanded that poor families hand over their children over the age of 5 to them, claiming it as "free care and education", but in reality it was forced begging.
On the second day of each child's arrival in Malibu, Talibe must hand over 200 CFA francs, or 40 cents, to Malibu every day. Adults in Senegal can only earn 2000 CFA francs a day if they have a job.
If children cannot pay 200 CFA francs, what awaits them is hunger, whipping, and even shackles. At around the age of 14, children in adolescence gradually develop rebellious emotions, which are difficult to control in Malibu. They will be expelled from their homes and left to fend for themselves.
Most of these children are illiterate and cannot count up to 20. After coming out, one can only make a living by begging, stealing, and robbing. Because of this, the security in Africa is very poor, and we dare not go out at night. (Please refer to the information) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talibe ）
Malibu has a pyramid like national structure in various West African countries such as Senegal, Mali, Guinea Bissau, Tanzania, and Nigeria. In Senegal alone, Malibu earns one million CFA francs per day, and over time, they accumulate enormous wealth. The Malibu people use money and religion to influence and manipulate the country, and the national leaders are helpless against them. In many cases, they even collude with them.
Malibu Teachers
On March 3, 2013, at least 9 children from Malibu were detained in a black room for failing to beg for the quota of 200 CFA francs. The flickering candlelight illuminated the worried children, and the hungry insects made a gurgling sound. Suddenly, the candle lamp stand collapsed, and a flame burned like a venomous snake on the dry wall.
Help, help! "The children shook the tightly locked door desperately, and within a few minutes, the flames engulfed their cries, turning their lives into a wisp of smoke.
The scene of the tragedy on March 4, 2013
According to a report by Human Rights Watch on April 20, 2015, in the capital city of Senegal, Dhaka alone, there are over 30000 children begging on the streets and alleys, and there are at least 50000 such children nationwide.
After the tragedy, The New York Times and some French newspapers reported in detail. Senegalese President Macky Saul delivered a speech, claiming that the perpetrators must be severely punished. However, two months later, all the implicated Malibu were acquitted and released. The court believed that the deaths of these children were because "God wants them to go home
A typical Malibu school
5、Save the children of Malibu
The heroes sacrificed everything
The golden sun carriage gallops in the endless sky, and the flames of July scorch my soul. In order to save the children and poor in West Africa, many heroes from all over the world have given their all without hesitation. Heroes have created towering achievements, and as I look up at these monuments, the tide in my heart surges like the Senegal River.
Seven years ago, Pastor Nielsen received a check for ten thousand dollars donated by a member of their church who was doing cleaning, indicating that it would be donated to African ministry.
Reverend Nielsen is well aware that this check cannot be accepted, as her income is extremely meager and it will take several years to deposit this amount. He put the check in the drawer without depositing it. But three months later, he received an email from Reverend Oliver. In Guinea Bissau, a sisters donated a piece of land to build a school, which cost 10000 dollars. This is the number, no more, no less. The love of these two sisters has changed the lives of many children.
The school donated by this sisters, this is one of the classrooms. They also have a hall, a restaurant and about 150 primary school students. The upper left corner is the big bell that rings in school. It is hung high to prevent students from ringing the bell
The children are wearing school uniforms and enjoying a free lunch. Due to our visit, each of them has been given a piece of luncheon meat
The school kitchen and master chef
Pastor Andrew and his wife Marissa
Pastor Anlu was originally a major in the Brazilian army. After retiring, he opened a computer company in S ã o Paulo, Brazil, which helped the Brazilian economy take off and earned a lot of money. Eleven years ago, he and his wife came to Bissau to rebuild the home of God on a pile of ruins. In the past few days, our short-term propaganda team has arrived. He is our driver and manager, and his wife Marissa is the manager and mother of 450 students in three schools. She cooks for us every morning and evening, and there is no sign that she was once the wife of a tycoon.
They live on the base, and outside the window is a road full of deep pits. During the rainy season, the highway becomes a river, and it is necessary to drive a high chassis four-wheel drive dual-purpose truck to enter and exit. Bissau does not have a garbage and sewage treatment system, and the upstream household waste will wash onto this path. When the sun shines, the stench is overwhelming, doors and windows cannot be opened, and mosquitoes and flies can devour people alive. Their family has been living in such an environment for eight years.
I can hardly imagine that I would bring my family to live here? Especially since my daughter grew up in such an environment, how will she face the challenges of life in the future? If it were me, I would never let my daughter study here, nor would I allow her to grow up in such an environment.
The daughter of Pastor Andrew
Reverend Ada and Aunt Mary
Pastor Ada was originally a nurse from Brazil. In 1995, he volunteered to open an orphanage in Guinea Bissau. Three months after arriving in Bissau, he met a beautiful girl named Mary. She had just obtained a bachelor's degree in biology and was eager to come to Bissau. The two of them were united in their determination. Under the scorching sun in Africa, without electricity, clean water, basic living conditions, or even a toilet, they worked tirelessly to take care of the food, drink, and defecate of more than 250 orphans. From a few months to teenagers, they cried and made a fuss. The money given by the church was very limited, and they had to go to fundraising. They were often looked down upon.
Wedding photo of Pastor Ada and Mary's mother
But the common interest, the trust of God, gave rise to a fiery love in their hearts. They got married and had two lovely children: the eldest Sam and the second Larissa. When their child was ten years old, they watched groups of orphans without families and felt guilty. They decided to give their two children the warmth of a family no matter what. A pair of six month old twins caught their eye, and they were Rebecca and Rubin.
More than 20 years have passed, thanks to God's grace, although the children grew up in Africa, they all excelled academically, and all four children spoke fluent English and French. Sam, who is 19 years old, is already in his second year at a university in Georgia, USA. His 18-year-old sister Larissa has also been accepted into a school in Ohio and received a scholarship. She came to the United States to study in July 2017. Pastor Nielsen's church funded Sam's living expenses, and I served as the chairman of AfricaCries Out; The foundation provides living expenses for Larissa.
From left to right, Reverend Ada, Aunt Mary, Rubin, Sam, Larissa, and Rebecca
When I took photos of their family, a wave of excitement surged in my eyes. The family of six only had a monthly income of $1000, which was not enough to sustain their basic family life, yet they were filled with happiness and joy. Especially the twins, with their innocent eyes wide open and staring at my camera, couldn't see any trace of sadness, while those children who were forced to beg on the streets since childhood didn't want to face the camera at all. Their eyes were always filled with anxiety and sorrow. I couldn't help but exclaim, "Rebecca and Rubin are the luckiest two among millions of African children
Pastor Anna and daughter Aimei
When Anna was 27 years old in 1997, she came to the capital of Senegal, Dhaka, alone. Senegal was once a French colony, and the official language is French. As soon as Anna arrived in Dhaka, she found herself filled with enthusiasm to help the African people, and surprisingly couldn't speak a word of French. Fortunately, her Portuguese has similarities with French. She made up her mind and learned French in three months. She teamed up with Pastor Oliver to establish a church in the slums, and I went to that church for worship this time.
She met a French young man and led him to believe in the Lord. They fell deeply in love and worked together for the Lord. Three years later, they became husband and wife. Soon after, Anna became pregnant and returned to Brazil to give birth to her daughter Aimei. Not long after her daughter was born, the leprosy village needed a volunteer worker to serve the patients and children. Without hesitation, she accepted God's call and led her daughter to the leprosy village. However, her husband, her beloved, backed out and had a heated argument. In the end, the two refused to compromise. Her husband threatened to divorce, but Anna remained steadfast.
Loyal love has become a bitter curse for lovers, and joyful wine has become bitter water that is difficult to swallow. Anna's husband left Anna and her daughter behind and returned to France. Anna, who is divorced, set off with one year old Aimei to a leprosy village 700 kilometers away.
I don't know how Anna got to the leprosy village with her child back then. Although the road has been slightly improved this year, we still spent 16 hours on bumpy roads that almost shook our internal organs. At that time, there were no roads, no electricity, no clean drinking water, no food to swallow, and mosquitoes and flies were like dense bombers attacking from all directions. I don't know how Anna led a newborn baby to spend 8 years in that dusty, mosquito fly infested, and sunny place?
Four years ago, Anna returned to Dhaka with her daughter for Aimei's education. Her daughter was sent to a school in Dhaka specially run by the British for missionary children. After three years, Amy has been able to speak fluent French and English. But not long ago, Amy was diagnosed with Dyslexia, that is, she could not recognize letters. Extremely clever Amy tried to recite the text to cover up her spelling defects.
Now she's eleven years old and can't hide it anymore. When Anna tearfully sought help from me, my heart trembled. What can I do to help her? I took them to Dhaka International School run by the Americans. The school agreed to accept Ai Meili, but the annual tuition is 19000 dollars, which can not be reduced. Anna only has a monthly income of $450, and I comforted her that God will definitely prepare the best for her.
Anna, Aimei, and Dr. Xu Jun are at the entrance of Dhaka International School
After I returned to the United States in 2016, we contacted another school in the UK specifically designed for missionary children, and they admitted Emily. The annual tuition fee was only one-third of that of American schools. Thank God for His preparation, and my foundation also provided this tuition fee. This year, I received Ai Meili's report card, with most of her grades being A and a small part being B. God has given her a rich and abundant supply.
Four years ago, as soon as Anna returned from the leprosy village to Dhaka, she immediately accepted the task of establishing a technical school. She is meticulous in her calculations and unwilling to waste a penny. She goes to the construction site every day to supervise the procurement of materials and the progress of the project. The African sun has tanned her skin, but her weathered face always reveals her intelligence and ability. Without her efforts, half of our donations would probably have been embezzled by the ubiquitous corruption and bribery of the local government. Thank God for arranging her at our construction site. Our first building will soon be able to accommodate students.
I asked Anna, what was the biggest challenge she faced during her 19 years in Africa? Anna lowered her head and replied, "Solitude, in a society with no relatives, as long as you can talk to your loved ones, you will find great comfort in your heart
Anna's daughter also quarreled with her mother all day long and said, "Lonely, I don't have brothers and sisters, nor cousins. They are all in Brazil. Please take me back to Brazil." I can't imagine how I would relieve the ubiquitous anxiety of missing my relatives if I were in a society without electricity, communication, and relatives? Perhaps I have already gone crazy.
My heart was deeply shaken. I first came to Africa in 2013 with a hint of curiosity, and it was the team led by Pastor Oliver who gave me a spiritual baptism, urging my heart to come back to Africa in 2014.
Since then, I dare not slack off or not go to Africa. I once wrote magnificent words to record my journey to Africa, but now no words can describe the shock of my soul. I am like a clown seeking attention, stripped naked of all clothes and subjected to the torment of soul fire. The achievements of heroes are magnificent and will last forever. One day, I will also grow old. When I leave this world, I doubt if I have the confidence to say, "I have lived up to myself because I have also brought hope to others
I deeply understand that when we look back on the past, what we are proud of is not how much material wealth we have earned, nor will anyone commemorate the standard of life we have provided for our families. Taking from the world will not earn respect, and giving like a hero is the right path in life. Life is just a journey, and only by giving can we have the joy of the journey.
6、 One of our ministries in Africa
Establish a technical school
In 2013, when I went to Africa for the first time, Reverend Oliver took me to an eleven acre (40000 square meter) vacant land on the base and said, "Look, what can this land do
I blurted out, "Building a technical school, only education can change the fate of children
The vacant land in 2013
Four years have passed now, and a teaching building over 10000 feet tall has stood tall. The first batch of 27 students from the technical school have graduated.
A newly built 10000 square foot teaching building
List of donors
Recalling that God placed this idea in my heart and presented it to everyone in this building, we walked a grateful journey. Here are a few unforgettable stories for me:
1. A sisters: "Don't worry about me. Tomorrow morning, there is still bread in my refrigerator."
There is a Tung in Stanford, Connecticut; Sisters, sent me ten thousand dollars. I don't know her, nor do I know what job she does. I called her and said, 'I won't save this money because I can't accept this generous gift.' She said, 'Don't worry, I'll wake up tomorrow and there's still bread in the fridge.'
2. A company boss said, "Before I die, I want to donate a sum of money to you
In Greenwich, Connecticut, there is a Mr. Camuto who has been my patient for many years. One day last year, his secretary called me and said, "Unfortunately, Mr. Camuto passed away suddenly. Can you attend his memorial service I know he's weak and frail, but he's not seriously ill. I didn't expect him to pass away so soon.
The next day, I received a letter containing a check for ten thousand dollars signed by him. Mr. Camuto couldn't forget to donate money to our schools in Africa the day before he left his beloved world. When I talked about his love at his memorial service, many of his friends and relatives were moved to tears.
3. A brother in California said, "I don't have much money, but I'm willing to send you money every month
This brother whom I have never met before sends me $50 or $60 every month for the past three years without interruption.
4. Several friends who are far away in China said, "I haven't seen you before, but I am willing to support you
Through WeChat, many unknown friends in Chinese Mainland wanted to send me RMB, so I had to ask my sister in China to help me convert. When I gave my sister's account to these strangers, I asked them, "With so many scams in China now, don't you suspect me of being a scammer
No, we believe in you, "came a firm voice from China.
Under the leadership of Reverend Oliver, we have established two small hospitals and three primary schools with nearly 500 students in the past decade. Our technical school has been built and the first batch of students has graduated.
Above is a school we are building in Guinea Bissau, from left to right: Marissa, Pastor Anlu, Pastor Nielsen, and Pastor Oliver
My heart has been trembling all along. In this society of rampant selfishness, some people, for their own selfish interests, can disregard conscience and morality to create Sanlu milk powder that can cause kidney stones in children, can dig three feet deep to extract moldy and toxic gutter oil from the sewer, can bear to take away someone else's newborn baby, and can also excrete the deadly chemical sewage into the river late at night. But in this world lost in money, where morality is thrown away like a rag, there are still trickles of clear water washing away the polluted riverbank, and the fragrance of flowers diluting the decay brought by the corrupt world. (Written by Xu Jun on June 18, 2017 in New York)
Dr. Xu Jun will go to Senegal, West Africa for voluntary medical practice for the fifth time in 2018, and Dr. Xu Sihai will join Dr. Xu Jun's team. We also urgently need your joining. The situation is now introduced as follows:
Personnel: The attending physician of the internal and external obstetrics and gynecology clinical department is the preferred choice, and other specialties can also be applied for.
Time: Departure on Friday evening, February 16th, 2018, and return to New York on Sunday, February 25th, 2018. Doctors from all over can fly directly from your city location to Dhaka, the capital of Senegal. If you depart from New York, we are responsible for purchasing the flight ticket. If you are taking off from another airport, we will be responsible for picking you up in Dhaka.
Vaccination: Please contact your family doctor to receive all vaccines prescribed by the CDC.
Cost: Approximately $1600 for airfare and accommodation, $1000 for donation to purchase medication, etc. The total expenditure is approximately $2600.
After arriving at the destination, our team is responsible for food and accommodation, so there is no need for doctors to worry.
We will stay in the capital Dhaka for about 2-3 days and then drive for 16-7 hours to the leprosy village to treat patients. Please be mentally prepared, it can be quite challenging.
In our lifetime, if we can go to Africa to serve the poor there once, it will be our blessing in this life!
If you are willing to support our African ministry, please write the check to us; Africa Cries Out, Sent to: Jun Xu, MD, 1171 E Putnam Ave, Riverside, CT 06878, USA， You will receive recognition from the US government
Tax exempt receipt.
Our slogan is: We have no administrative fees, we will cover all expenses when we go to Africa. Your donation is 100% for the people of Africa. Thank you for your support!
In 2016, Dr. Xu Sihai and Dr. Xu Jun established the International Doctor Volunteer Non Profit Organization (MVI) in collaboration with other like-minded doctors to encourage more doctors to participate in global volunteer medicine. We have three projects in Africa, Haiti, and Cambodia, and welcome you to join our organization and do the voluntary medical care we love.
My email address:
iloverehabmed@hotmail.com,
My WeChat is:jun9174343767
Please visit:
http://www.africacriesout.org
http://medvolunteers.org
You will receive more detailed information.
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