TESTIMONIALS 

Valentina is a trained physician specializing in obstetrics and gynecology and has a degree in preventive medicine and public health.

Valentina has volunteered with Engera on several occasions. Her work with the organization focuses on women's health, where she actively helps drive maternal and reproductive health initiatives.

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“This experience leaves me with enthusiasm and a very deep sense of strength and courage. Respect for those who are here and work every day, respect for the different. A sense of gratitude for what I have, but also for the possibility of having lived this experience. Although every separation is always difficult, I know that Zizencho will always remain in my heart as I also know that the adventure has just begun.”

"Thanks to Engera, I volunteered in Zizencho, Gurage, Ethiopia: a multi-faith rural community that is poor if you define it by European standards, but very rich if you change the scale. I got to know a community in which priorities are clearly defined, in which the education of young people belongs to the whole village and in which a willingness to help can be felt on every street corner.

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However, healthcare remains a major problem for them as they do not have the financial means to access it. Even a sore foot that does not allow them to go to work in the fields becomes a major problem for the patient and the livelihood of their whole family. This is precisely why it was so important for me to contribute to the free healthcare that I firmly believe in, and it was impossible not to see how even a small sanitary gesture that we take for granted was crucial for the people I cared for at the Zizencho clinic. It filled me with so much joy and gratitude, as a nurse, as a mother, as a member of a community where I felt at home.

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For me, it was the first time, but I have the certainty that I will come back every year."

"Our time in Ethiopia was truly a remarkable and enriching experience, far exceeding our expectations. It profoundly impacted us on personal, professional, and emotional levels. We were a diverse group, some familiar with each other and others meeting for the first time, but we quickly bonded and formed deep connections. 

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The Sisters at Burat welcomed us warmly, making us feel right at home. Their dedication and spirituality were inspiring, and their stories about building their communities from scratch were humbling. Our days were filled with meaningful work, treating an average of 204 patients daily, with some days reaching up to 261. Despite the high numbers, we managed well through effective teamwork, dividing tasks and consulting each other on complex cases.

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We introduced a mini intensive observation unit for patients who needed short-term monitoring but did not require full hospitalization. This allowed us to provide treatments like oxygen therapy and monitor patients' responses, making decisions about further care. We dealt with a variety of challenging cases, including suspected meningoencephalitis, severe pneumonia, asthma attacks, and typhoid fever, which kept us engaging and constantly learning. 

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Our interactions with the community in Burat were filled with joy and laughter, despite occasional language barriers. Volunteering in a new context did present challenges - adapting to a new culture, living conditions, language and work environment - but we quickly found our rhythm. The Sisters and the structured environment provided guidance and support, making the transition smooth. 

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Overall, this experience taught us the importance of teamwork and the profound impact of giving more than receiving."

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"Engera's tireless commitment to supporting the community in Gurage, where I have family, for almost two decades has demonstrated the crucial importance of access to healthcare in rural areas. Despite our community's tenacity and resilience, persistent poverty and poor infrastructure continue to put maternal and child health at risk.

A key moment for me was my trip to Zizencho. Although I had heard a lot about it before, the first-hand experience left a deep impression on me. I personally witnessed the transformation that has taken place. The villagers told me about the difficulties they faced before the clinic was built: hours of walking over rough terrain with the sick on their shoulders to reach the nearest hospital. They told me of the struggles and pain they experienced due to the lack of access to medical care, with serious consequences for their lives and those of their loved ones. Unfortunately, this is the sad reality in many rural areas of Ethiopia.

The establishment of the Zizencho Health Centre marked a crucial turning point. Now the people of Zizencho have access to treatment right in their village without having to travel long distances. The clinic has also opened up new opportunities for the development of the village, as the government has supported the construction of basic infrastructure such as electricity, mobile network, roads and schools, thanks in part to Engera's support in building the Zizencho Health Centre.

Zizencho is just one of Engera's many projects aimed at improving the health and wellbeing of the Gurage community. The touching stories of people whose fortunes have been transformed by Engera are an inspiration and a tangible testament to hope, resilience and positive change - and many more stories deserve to be told.

Only together can we overcome the current challenges and continue to improve the well-being of our community."

Danilo has visited the projects several times but this was Agnese's first time and they worked together at Attat Hospital.

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"We worked for three months at the pediatric department at Attat Hospital. Despite the challenges of limited resources and a high patient volume, the dedication of the staff and the management of Sister Rita Schiffer have been truly inspiring. 

A valuable achievement has been the increasing trust that the nursing staff had in us. Due to the presence of an important language barrier and the need not to disrupt the rhythm of work on the ward, the local nurses were initially rather reluctant to accept our proposals to modify the usual diagnostic-therapeutic procedures (e.g., extending the duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy).

One of the most rewarding experiences was seeing the recovery of a three year old girl with extensive burns. 

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The skill of the local staff in managing the available resources is a great source of learning for us. In Western hospitals, in fact, it may happen that tests are required that are not strictly necessary or that superfluous procedures are performed, whereas here, every clinical action is only implemented if it is really aimed at impacting the needs of the patient. We are convinced that having experience with children suffering from hyperacute or neglected chronic diseases will help us avoid unnecessary treatments for our patients in Italy. 

To those who will receive our baton, we wish them to be as excited as we are to see how international collaboration among healthcare professionals can produce projects capable of changing people's lives. Our most valuable advice is to enter this world on tiptoe, in order to better understand the real needs of our counterparts. In this way, it will be possible to accompany the local population through a gradual improvement of the socio-health conditions in the area."​​​​​​​​​​​​

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​"I've been to Ethiopia three times, each visit leaving a lasting impression on me. 

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On my first trip, the image of an "upside- down" moon struck me. It taught me the necessity of changing perspectives when approaching new cultures. You must enter gently, build trust and adapt, changing pre-conceived notions. The shift in perspective was invaluable. 

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During my second trip, the red earth captivated me. It permeated my senses, symbolising the rich yet challenging land of Ethiopia. The Ethiopians' deep connection with their land, their respect for nature and their communal spirit in sharing resources was profoundly inspiring.  

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On my third visit, the warmth and hospitality of the Ethiopian people deeply moved me. From sharing coffee, to working together, I felt welcomed and became part of their community. The collaboration and mutual learning in the health center was particularly enriching.  

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Every time I leave, I feel like I am leaving a piece of my heart behind, knowing I have to return to feel whole again." 

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