In September 2026, the Sasakawa Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease) Initiative visited Nigeria and Bangladesh to meet with scholars selected for the 2026 Sasakawa Leprosy Initiative Young Scholar Program.  The program supports young adults aged 18 to 35 who are affected by leprosy in acquiring professional skills, achieving economic independence, and developing into future leaders who can contribute to their communities. During the visits, the scholars shared how they hope to apply the knowledge and skills they acquire through the program to build independent lives and make a difference to the lives of others.

Nigeria: Acquiring Skills to Build a Better Future

On September 6, the Initiative visited the Uzuakoli Leprosy Settlement in Nigeria and met with four Young Scholars selected by Purple Hope Women Empowerment Initiative Nigeria (PHWEIN), an organization of persons affected by leprosy.

Established in the early 1930s, Uzakoli remains home to persons affected by leprosy and their families to this day. Conditions are difficult. The aging facilites are exemplified by a school that is missing a roof. Nearby hospitals reportedly have difficulty admitting people affected by leprosy due to the persistence of discrimination and stigma within the local community.

Two of the four scholars are from Uzuakoli and all have overcome significant hardships, such as losing their parents to leprosy or growing up as an orphan.

During the meeting, the four scholars shared their aspirations for the program and their goals for the future.

Joshua Sunday, 27, spoke of his ambition to learn shoemaking and use his skills to support people in his settlement. John Ugochukwu, 20, whose parents are affected by leprosy, plans to train as an auto electrician and hopes to support his community by repairing cars.

Ugochi Onuzuruike, 32, dreams of studying fashion design and launching her own brand. Through her brand, she wants to raise awareness of leprosy and promote greater understanding of the disease. Ozi Chinemere, 23, who developed leprosy at the age of seven, said she hopes to hone her hairdressing skills, achieve economic independence, and eventually teach these skills to others.

Although the professions they aspire to differ, they share a common desire: to gain skills, become self-reliant, and support others facing similar circumstances as well as people in their communities.

Bangladesh: Turning Learning into Community Contribution

From September 22 to 23, the Initiative visited Bogura, Bangladesh, and met with five Young Scholars selected by the Bogura Federation, an organization of persons affected by leprosy.

Chosen from among 44 applicants, these five scholars are participating in a training program conducted in collaboration with a vocational training institute operated by TMSS, a leading Bangladeshi NGO working across a wide range of fields such as education, healthcare, and microfinance. While studying leadership, communication, gender, human rights, organizational management, and other areas, they are developing the knowledge and skills needed to achieve their future goals.

The five scholars gave presentations using handmade charts, sharing their career aspirations and hopes for the future.

Taslima Akter, 29, chairperson of the Bogura Federation, shared her aspiration to advocate for persons affected by leprosy not only in Bangladesh but also on the world stage. She is also pursuing qualifications in optometry and hopes to provide free vision testing and related services to local communities and socially vulnerable people.

Shompa Khatun, 23, also hopes to pursue a career in optometry.

The other scholars also envision career paths that reflect their individual interests and strengths. Riya Khatun, 20, aims to apply knowledge of economics and finance to leprosy awareness campaigns. Yousuf Ali, 23, plans to acquire skills in mobile phone repair and computer-related services to achieve economic independence, while Lalon Kumar, 30, intends to take a paramedic course and provide healthcare services in his community.

Beyond their individual ambitions, the scholars share a desire to use their knowledge and skills to benefit others. For them, learning is not only a means of supporting themselves but also an opportunity to contribute to their communities.

Building Confidence and Leadership for the Future

The visits highlighted how young people who have faced difficult circumstances are gaining confidence through learning and taking steps toward their future goals.

The Young Scholar Program supports participants in achieving economic independence through professional skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. It also seeks to nurture confidence and leadership, enabling young persons affected by leprosy to take greater control of their lives and contribute to addressing challenges in their communities. The Initiative will continue working with partner organizations and mentors to support the scholars as they develop their skills and pursue their aspirations.

By standing on their own and taking action for others, these young people can become role models in their communities. Their personal growth offers hope for a future in which persons affected by leprosy can participate fully in society, free from stigma and discrimination.