(ANS – Monrovia) – In 1854 Turin was hit by a cholera epidemic which decimated the population, especially amongst the poor on the outskirts where the oratory was. Don Bosco courageously proposed that his older boys help the sick who had been left to themselves for fear of contagion, and many took up his call, remaining unaffected. Today in Monrovia, Liberia's capital, 5 young Christians and Muslims have st up the “Dominic Savio & Don Bosco” group which follows in their footsteps to help prevent the spread of Ebola.

The Ebola virus is one of the most aggressive and dangerous ones for human beings and no vaccine has yet been found, nor is there any effective treatment. More than 1700 cases have been registered recently in West Africa – according to statistics provided by WHO – resulting in 932 deaths. Faced with this the best thing to do in areas affected by the virus is to try to prevent, and avoid new individuals coming into contact with affected ones.

And this is precisely what Josephat and his four friends are doing, different in their beliefs but united by their Salesian spirit and the desire to to save, look after others' health, especially the most needy, poor and abandoned. “I think what Don Bosco did in his time during the cholera epidemic we can also do today” Josephat explained via whatsapp to a Salesian in Nigeria.

The first problem for Josephat and the four young volunteers was to convince a driver to take them to a village three and a half hours from the capital, where an entire family of 6 had died due to the virus. That's where they began. They paid an exorbitant price for the trip but managed to get to the remote area.

Their mission is not to look after but help prevent, by providing basic instructions that the Ministry of Health is trying to spread. It is information that does not reach places in the interior where there is no electricity, television... and no one is ready to risk their health to save others.

Along with a leaflet and poster campaign which they spread and explain, at the local market and house by house, the Dominic Savio and Don Bosco group give out gloves, long-sleeved shirts and and chlorine-based disinfectant all of which can help limit contact and contagion.

The more urgent problem is avoiding contact with anyone in the final stages of the disease and with bodies of deceased persons – which are extremely contagious. It is not easy because of tradition, the affection that spouses feel for one another… and people in the villages have to carry on with what they are doing – most it it simply pure subsistence like going to the market, work… otherwise they will suffer from famine.

To get hold of disinfectant, gloves, shirts, transport and everything they need, Josephat and his boys are doing what Don Bosco did: knocking on doors of people who have something extra; they go round the capital seeking help for the rural areas. But there too fear is closing people in on themselves. Josephat has some friends in Nigeria giving a hand through money exchange services and with whatever they collect they are organising their mission of prevention and aid distribution.

Information, prevention and openness of heart are the three areas they are working on. There is also the risk of fear which makes lethal what otherwise might not be so: the first symptoms of Ebola are almost identical to Malaria, a perennial problem in sub-Saharan Africa. If not looked after it is as deadly as Ebola. It happened that one of Josephat's neighbours died of Malaria a few days ago: due to the fear that she had Ebola she found all doors closed to her.

Josephat has also had sensible invitations to be very prudent: the highest percentage of victims is amongst those who have been looking after the sick. Some have advised him to go back to Nigeria. “But that sounds like cheating God” he replied. Even if this is the only charity I can offer in my entire life I will be happy to follow it through. God gave me my life and health: I should use it to serve”.

What are life and health worth? Are safety and isolation deriving from fear the 'absolutes'  to which the rest has to be sacrificed?

On August 16, 2014 the Bicentenary of Don Bosco's birth opens: Josephat and his friends are showing how Don Bosco has become African.

Published 07/08/2014