World Doctors Italy: visit of the projects in Ethiopia
These are not just numbers: 31 wells, 23 km of water pipelines for 35 villages and 18,500 residents. These are people, many people, who now, thanks to access to clean drinking water, can enjoy a better quality of life. No more hours of walking to the nearest well, sometimes an entire day’s task, but now a maximum of 500 meters! Clean water also means fewer diseases! On behalf of the South Tyrolean population, who made the funding possible together with the Municipality of Bolzano and the Autonomous Region of Trentino-Südtirol, we received the heartfelt thanks of the local population.
Other projects of the association were also visited:
The Attat Hospital, which treats 350 patients per day, provides 100 beds for inpatients, and with over 3,500 births per year is a vital resource for a million people. The association's next project involves building new accommodations for local doctors to ensure their long-term presence. Support is still needed for this.
The San Marco Clinic began operating two years ago. For the first time, three female doctors, members of World Doctors Italy, are working on-site to assist local staff and improve hospital operations.
The Walburg School Center is expanding with a new primary school building in collaboration with the Maro Foundation, following high demand for enrollment. The school was recently recognized as the best in the entire region.
In Dakuna, a women’s project is being supported. The association ensures electricity and water supply, provides training in handcraft skills for 160 women, and funds start-up capital for microloans to initiate small businesses.
Another major school center is under construction in Soddo. The Abba Pascal High School is being funded by World Doctors Italy in collaboration with the Aut. Region Trentino/Südtirol and the Aut. Province of Bolzano. The hall and a retaining wall still need to be built, for which additional support is needed.
The Loving Home Project focuses on raising awareness about illegal migration and its false promises. It also supports young people with start-up capital to launch their own small businesses.
The Happy Cheese Dairy in Emdibir continues to be overseen by the head of the Lagundo Dairy, and the staff is receiving ongoing training.
The association remains grateful for the continued support of the South Tyrolean population and for every donation!
