Ténébou and Bethan Manga
In Senegal’s southern region of the Casamance, far too many people are unable to access compassionate, quality health care.
Like the rest of Senegal, an estimated 90% of the population in the Casamance are Muslim, largely influenced by animism. When faced with illness and injury, many people turn to animist practices for help. The distance to quality medical facilities can be long and, during the floods of rainy season, those in rural villages can find themselves cut off.
Djabir is one such village. Though just outside the city of Ziguinchor, the villagers have difficulty accessing compassionate health care. This, combined with a lack of Christian witness, means that many people are living with poor health and in spiritual darkness.
Building a clinic…
Having grown up in this region, Ténébou is desperate for his people to know the freedom offered by Christ. Though from the UK, Bethan has had a heart for ministry in Africa since childhood and her UK medical training gave her the opportunity to serve in the Casamance.
Ténébou and Bethan have a shared passion for using their medical training to help people escape the bonds of animism. Building a clinic in Djabir will allow them to show the love of Jesus through practical service, combining their heart for the people with their vocational gifts and training.
…to share the good news
Having spent many years in a similar clinic, Ténébou will oversee the building and equipping of the clinic in Djabir, then will provide both management and clinical care (similar to that of a nurse practitioner in the UK). His passion is sharing the love of God, so he will be taking every opportunity to share the good news with everyone he meets.
Bethan trained as a medical doctor and is well-equipped to support Ténébou in his role, although with their young family, her primary focus at this time will be on raising the children, supporting extended family, and providing hospitality. She will also look for opportunities to disciple young people and women.
