This year marked the return of The Leprosy Mission’s Wellesley Bailey Awards, after a pause during the pandemic. In honour of our 150th anniversary year, the judges have granted an award to four winners whose tireless work has furthered the cause of leprosy patients around the world.
One of these winners is Sandra Dongo Botolo from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who has pioneered a better understanding of leprosy in her country. This is Sandra’s story.
Sandra's Journey with Leprosy and Beyond
When Sandra was nine years old, she developed a painless mark on her face. Her family approached several medical centres about this, but no one could give them a correct diagnosis.
Leprosy affected Sandra’s childhood in a devastating way. She was forced to leave her family home to be raised by Catholic Sisters, and had to drop out of school for two years because of the stigmatising physical signs of leprosy.
It was only 20 years after that first mark appeared that Sandra received her leprosy diagnosis at the Clinique Universitaire de Kinshasa in 2014. The clinic referred her to the National Leprosy Elimination Programme, which confirmed her diagnosis. By this time, because the diagnosis and treatment were so delayed, she had terrible wounds on her hands and legs, which led to the loss of her toes
After receiving her diagnosis, Sandra’s struggles with leprosy continued. She regularly had to travel over 10 kilometres in order to receive her leprosy medication, and she faced complications with recurring leprosy reactions.
Things began to change for Sandra in 2019 when The Leprosy Mission introduced her to OPALCO, the DRC’s national Organisation of Persons Affected by Leprosy (Organisation des Personnes Affectées par la Lèpre au Congo). Sandra became engaged with OPALCO’s work, increasing her confidence and overcoming her feelings of stigmatisation. Soon, she began to speak about her experience of leprosy publically.
Sandra gave her testimony of leprosy at churches, schools, and other public places without shame, and this started to inspire other patients to do the same.
In 2021, Sandra became the Coordinator of OPALCO. Today, the organisation has become integral to all leprosy work that takes place in the country. Under Sandra’s leadership, OPALCO has grown its networks and has become a member of AfricAlliance, a continent-wide organisation of persons affected by leprosy.
Thanks to Sandra and OPALCO, leprosy has become better understood in the DRC. More people realise that leprosy patients pose no danger to them, and more people know how to spot the signs of leprosy.
“Sandra’s commitment to supporting persons with disability and persons affected by leprosy in overcoming so many prejudices is, for me, unforgettable.” – Dr JN Mputu Luengu, former Director of the National Leprosy Control Programme
About the Wellesley Bailey Awards
The Wellesley Bailey Awards, first started in 1999, are given to recognise those who have made significant contributions to society by overcoming the challenges of leprosy. The award celebrates the life and work of Wellesley Bailey, who founded The Leprosy Mission in 1874.
The four winners of the 2024 Wellesley Bailey Award will be invited to join The Leprosy Mission at our 150th Anniversary Celebration in New Delhi in November.
References:
1. The Leprosy Mission announces Wellesley Bailey Award winners 2024. Leprosy Mission International. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://www.leprosymission.org/blog/the-leprosy-mission-announces-wellesley-bailey-award-winners-2024/.
2. Sandra Dongo Botolo: Wellesley Bailey Awards Winner 2024. Leprosy Mission International. Accessed September 24, 2024. https://www.leprosymission.org/leprosy-champions/leprosy-champions/sandra-dongo-botolo-wellesley-bailey-awards-winner-2024/.