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[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]What I appreciated the most, especially in these weeks when I was alone as the only IDEA Onlus resident at Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital, is that in Kalongo you can't really feel alone.
I have built a good relationship with the colleagues in the hospital that allows us not only to confront and talk about the most hard and unusual cases, but also to downplay and laugh in some circumstances, as we have known each other for long time. We don’t share only the long days but also the tea breaks, the cuts of the cakes during Christmas time and the eating of candies to keep the blood sugar concentration high. They immediately considered me one of the group hugging me at the end of the umpteenth day in which, thanks to everyone’s effort, the highest number of critical children were transfused; but they also considered me part of the group by including me in the lucky dip for the Christmas present.
Even outside the hospital, however, I am never alone. When I have a walk, surrounded by the seasonal green vegetation of Kalongo, I always share the path with someone. I start the walk with some children who drag water tanks and who, intrigued by the tool I hold in my hands, pose to obtain a photograph (and burst out laughing contagiously when I show them the result). I continue with families who return from the Sunday Mass and invite me to visit their home. Along the way it happens to enter the courtyard of houses populated by at least three generations of the same family, each one engaged in a different job or all reunited to celebrate the festive day with dances and local music that you cannot help but appreciate (and immortalize!). To my great surprise, even without planning an activity (something unthinkable for the western standard of living) it is still possible to carry it out in the company of someone: this is how I explored the mountains near Kalongo with three kids that are used to climb those mountains even barefoot; this is how on January 1st, with only two hours of sleep, I climbed to the top of Mount Oret in the company of Emmanuel, Alice and Alice.
And now, that the next Italian volunteer has joined me, I was able to cheer him up and tell him that even if I said goodbye to Kalongo, he won't be alone. Welcome Paolo!

Ilaria Fumi, resident in neonatology and pediatrics[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]Infections in Africa are increasing day by day, this is the alarm raised by the director of the International Committee of the Red Cross for Africa about the devastating consequences for the population that the pandemic can cause on the continent. Also Uganda has not been spared despite the restrictive measures imposed by the government: the number of people suffering from coronavirus has risen to 61, there are only 12 intensive care units across the Country, with a total of 55 beds.

Medical and health staff in Kalongo is working hard on the emergency plan to deal with the epidemic with the support of the Foundation and the Italian doctors who have returned to Italy; the pediatrician Tito Squillaci is on the front line.

The main problems that the hospital has to face  are: on the one hand preventing the infection of the healthcare professionals considering the extremely limited availability of personal protective equipment; on the other hand avoiding the contagion among the patients, since carrying out swabs is almost impossible and there is a constant need to nurse patients suffering from pneumonia and breathing difficulties due to other diseases, especially in the pediatric ward. Guaranteeing oxygen supply becomes crucial, as the number of concentrators is not enough even under normal conditions.

There is no intensive care in Kalongo nor can it be set up because of the need of expensive and scarcely available equipment, but above all because of the lack of qualified staff.
The plan must be implemented with extreme urgency, as Dr. Tito Squillaci points out, without waiting for the first case to reach Kalongo. The virus can begin to spread in the community about 7-10 days before the first patient is detected. At the time of the first reliable diagnosis, the epidemic may already be out of control.
We should not forget that Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital is the only reference health center for an area populated by more than 500,000 people and where there is no other real treatment, a lifeline for the population of Agago district and the 6 neighboring districts.

Kalongo hospital has been identified as Hub Covid, the district reference centre for suspected cases and for the treatment of moderate cases, while the most serious ones should be referred to hospitals equipped with intensive care beds. Dr. Godfrey Smart, a surgeon and CEO of the hospital, is a part of the district task force for the Covid emergency.
The Ministry of Health has also established an outreach plan, which requires the hospital lab technician to carry out the swab at home. A decentralization plan is also being developed for the analysis of the evaluations, that are examined today by the Uganda Virus Research Institute of Kampala for which Kalongo hospital would become the district reference hub also for the analysis.

The alert is therefore very high, because differently from our hospitals that have the means, equipment and resources, although they are struggling, Kalongo hospital will have to fight the battle against Covid19 with bare hands and everything will be played on prevention.

The Foundation works making every effort to guarantee equipment, protective devices and medications to support the hospital and the local population; we are worried above all for those  people suffering from malnutrition and HIV, hepatitis, that have a very weak immune system and are more exposed to the risk of contracting the virus.
Any contribution is essential to avoid the spread of the pandemic in an area that has always lived in the daily emergency.
Do not leave them alone.

Testimony collected by Ilaria Fumi  pediatrics specialist of Idea Onlus

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“Considering the current situation, all these jobs are madness from a human perspective.

However we do not work for our personal interest, but for the good of these people of ours,

hoping that tomorrow they will benefit from what we have done for them "

Father Giuseppe Ambrosoli, Kalongo 1974

 

In this difficult and uncertain circumstance for all of us, Father Giuseppe’s words give us confidence.

On Saturday Ugandan Ministry of Health confirmed the first case of Covid-19 in Uganda. The Government of Uganda has introduced very restrictive measures to prevent the spread of the virus which have now become stricter.

Dr. Tito Squillaci and the other volunteers in Kalongo had to return to Italy. We know that their departure and the cancellation of all the missions of Italian doctors, now engaged in the battle against the virus in our Country, will have serious consequences on the clinical and training activities.

The obstetrics school, like all the schools in Uganda, has been closed. We live this forced choice with great concern, because the school is a vital resource for the hospital. And with immense sadness, looking back on the dark days of over 60 years ago, when Father Giuseppe, after the forced evacuation of the hospital and despite his precarious health conditions, spent up to the last of his efforts to ensure the survival of the school.

The hospital is preparing an emergency plan, in Kalongo there are no intensive care units and adequate equipment to deal with the pandemic. The hospital cannot do it alone. Today this is even more evident to us, in light of what we are experiencing here in Italy and of the heartfelt message that Dr. Tito Squillaci has sent us.

We have a great responsibility towards the hospital and the obstetrics school and towards you as well because you believe in our work and support us.
We will work with all our energies to ensure that the hospital and the school continue to operate at their best and can prepare themselves to face the emergency.

Together we can do it!

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text][/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_row_inner column_margin="default" text_align="left"][vc_column_inner column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" column_link_target="_self" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]My first month in Africa, at Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital in Kalongo (Uganda), has already given me a wealth of teachings:

I learned that you have to be strong because Strength is the first medicine to survive in such a rural context.

I learned that the climate change has affected the equator as well: the rainy season that should have ended in October doesn’t seem to stop, in fact it is a source of criticality.
I learned that humidity and rains cool down our premature babies who do not store energy and struggle to grow. There are no incubators for everyone, but fortunately the contact with their mothers, through the kangaroo mother care, allows the babies to store heat.

I learned that the concept of "essential" is relative: it is essential to have access to basic medical treatments but it doesn’t mean that they are available in every corner of the Earth.

I learned that time can have different meanings: with "hour" you can refer to minutes, hours, but also days. When a child has too low hemoglobin levels, it would be necessary to do something immediately, like a blood transfusion, but unfortunately here "immediately" depends on the availability of people (the same person cannot donate blood several times in close times), on their arrival from villages that sometimes are so far away, on the group compatibility; so unfortunately sometimes you can't help but adapt your concept of time to theirs.

I learned that a child's heart can beat with a frequency higher than 240 beats per minute for anemia, dehydration or sepsis and by providing transfusions, liquids and antibiotics it slows down its galloping rhythm giving the child the opportunity to smile again.

I learned that you need to think not once but many times before requesting an examination because here, even the most banal one (for example, the estimate of the hemoglobin value), has a cost that not everyone can afford.

I learned that it is fundamental to base one's medical reasoning on the medical record, on the signs through which a pathology appears, which in the western world are almost always connected with laboratory and instrumental examinations, but here they are very few and sometimes go "out of stock "

I learned that perhaps it is not a mistake to dismiss a child earlier than necessary because the mother admits that, once finished the food supplies, she would not know how to feed him.

I learned that anger at the awareness that more could be done but that "more" has not yet arrived here (and who knows if and when it will arrive) is a source of distraction and waste of energy. On the other hand, it is important to stay focused and direct our efforts to the many children who are still hospitalized.

I learned that solidarity is a value that everyone shows here, even the most distressed people, because it is important to feel everyone at the same level. There is no fight, there is no arrogance, there is no pretension for one's own children, not even for the most critical ones, because it is known that neighbors’ help comes in any case.

I learned that the word I hear the most is "Thank you". "Thank you because you have chosen to work here, Doctor" - "Thank you for the good work done today, Doctor" (repeated every day) - "Thank you Doctor for wanting to share your teachings with us".

But no verbal language couldn’t hold a candle to an exchange of glances, an exchange of smiles: the smile, in the language of patients in Kalongo, means a request for help, it means hospitality, it means respect, it means trust but it also means Thank you . In Acholi language: "Apwoyo".

Ilaria Fumi, resident in neonatology and paediatrics

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[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]On November 29th, 2019, the Holy See announced the recognition by Pope Francis of the miracle that occurred through the intercession of Father Giuseppe.

 

[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][image_with_animation image_url="8384" alignment="" animation="Fade In" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" max_width="100%"][/vc_column][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/2" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]What impresses me the most every morning when I start my day in the hospital, divided between Neonatal Intensive Care and Paediatrics, is numbers: 208 are the children hospitalized now in Paediatrics, 61 the available beds, 1.353 children under five years of age affected by malaria admitted in hospital in the last three months.

1.8 is the lowest hemoglobin value I’ve ever seen in my life, so low that it would be foolish to think it could be compatible with life. This is the hemoglobin value of the first child I saw dying of malaria in Kalongo.

Since the beginning of June, the malaria epidemic in Uganda has left no way out and it mainly affects children who most often arrive to the hospital dying, hoping to find a cure. And what is the cure for malaria? Artesunate is the indicated drug in complicated malaria forms; otherwise in severe anemia forms, what is the cure? Blood. But this is a problem all across Africa. For Kalongo, the nearest blood bank is located in Gulu, which is about four hours away by car. Yet many times blood is not even there.

What should we do then? We start screening parents, to see if they are compatible, but many times they cannot donate because they have already donated to the other child, or are pregnant moms, or dads with a blood transmissible disease (HIV, hepatitis B). In other cases they are simply not compatible.

What can you do if you are the doctor taking care of the child with 1.8 hemoglobin to let him live?

Try asking other family members, but they often live too far away and would not arrive on time. So if you are compatible, and you haven’t already donated in the last three months, you donate yourself. Yesterday, however, I managed to find a midwifery student, who donated for another child who had 2.8 hemoglobin, and this child made it!

If not much can be done without blood for all these cases of very serious anemia, on the other hand for cases with hemoglobin values above 5 gm / dl the main cure remains the medicine, Artesunate. We must safeguard the lives of these children.

We cannot and must not give up. We can and must go on.

Antonella Tuscano, resident in Paediatrics from Idea Onlus partner of Ambrosoli Foundation[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_gallery type="flexslider_style" images="8124,8126,8136,7943" onclick="link_no"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]Now I work at Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital as a midwife. I promise to do my best to show love and care to all patients, especially mothers and their young ones. I will try to follow Father Giuseppe Ambrosoli’s demonstration of love and hospitality. We can all live in memory of his teachings.” Sister Beatrice Kwena, midwife.

Since she was a child, Sister Beatrice Kwena has cultivated a deep religious drive and the clear will to spend herself for the most needy. At 22 in Gulu, she becomes a nun. Within her congregation, she meets sister Carmel, Director of the Kalongo Midwifery School. This meeting changes her life, making a new seed sprout in her: the desire to take care of women, mothers and their children.

In 2016, thanks to one of our donors who generously financed her studies, Sr. Beatrice Kwena obtained the Certificate in Midwifery, at Kalongo Midwifery School. Since then she has worked permanently at Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital.

Faithful to the commitment made, both as a religious and as a midwife, sister Beatrice did not stop here but chose to continue her studies and obtain a Diploma in Midwifery. And we have chosen to support her once again, because in Kalongo and beyond, there is a great need for her!

Since 1990, according to the WHO - WORLD HEALTH ORGANISATION - we have been witnessing a constant decline in the maternal and neonatal mortality rate worldwide, largely attributable to the presence of a greater number of midwives.

Unfortunately, there is still a lot to do in Uganda: the maternal mortality rate is 343 per 100.000 children born alive (in Italy it is 3).

The majority of deaths can be avoided with adequate prenatal care, assisted birth and postnatal care; activities that properly trained midwives can carry out independently. In addition, midwives, as women and members of the same local communities, carry out an essential awareness-raising action for the community and can act as a spokesperson for women’s rights. They are agents of lasting change, which matures within communities. This means “Saving Africa with Africa” and this has been done by St. Mary’s Midwifery Training School since 1959.

This is why we do not step back from the commitment to do more to support this important work. We want to expand the accommodation capacity of the school from a structural point of view and improve the teaching quality of the training courses, accompanying and supporting the school in the creation of the Degree Course in Midwifery, recognized at a National level.

Stay by our side, we need your help to continue supporting the training and growth of women in Norther Uganda, thank you! [/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][image_with_animation image_url="7781" alignment="" animation="Fade In" border_radius="none" box_shadow="none" max_width="100%"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]“My first meeting with Africa took place in high school, when our Religion professor, Don Tullio Contiero shared his experience with us after returning from his missions in Uganda, showing us photos of children, women and villages.

I have always known since I was a child that I wanted to become a doctor, perhaps not to become an urologist surgeon. With this vision I cultivated a dream during my youth: to collaborate in the two large African hospitals, which represented the best of the ideal of helping others. One was the dr. Albert Schweitzer’s Lambarenè hospital and the other the Father Ambrosoli hospital in Kalongo.

Years later, having become a more experienced surgeon, the seed tossed by Don Contiero has paid off. Thanks to favorable meetings, I left in 1997 with other colleagues for a mission in Sololo, a remote village in Kenya at the border with Ethiopia. Thereafter other missions for Africa followed, until I met Dr. Giovanna Ambrosoli in Bologna and I proposed myself as an urologist for a mission in Kalongo. Here I understood that the cycle of destiny was fulfilled again, giving me the opportunity to work in one of the hospitals of Africa, the myth of my adolescence. And in this dream of mine I also involved my friend and colleague radiologist Anastasia (called Wanda).

After we retired, we decided to do this experience in Uganda, in the village where many years ago an Italian, Father Giuseppe Ambrosoli, had built this small hospital, developed in the following years, and still functioning despite 20 years of civil war.

The concept of hospitalization, at Dr. Ambrosoli Memorial Hospital, is quite broad, as the patient is not hospitalized alone, but is accompanied by the whole family who remains close to him all the time. Therefore one could see entire families arriving on foot from the neighbouring villages, accompanying their relative and then staying in the hospital in specific areas prepared for them, where they can cook and provide for the needs of the family, including personal hygiene and laundry.

In the morning, in fact, coloured cloths were hanging on the branches of the trees or on the large bushes to dry in the sun, showing the industriousness of the women, always ready to support their family in any situation. The united family faces the disease together with the patient, who thus receives support and encouragement, and does not feel alone on the healing path. During the day we walked several times in the open areas where the relatives of the patients stayed, feeling observed by curious or smiling eyes, sometimes absent, which immediately animated at the greeting in their language Acholi: “Apoio”. Sometimes we thought we were disturbing their lives, not understanding perfectly what they wanted to communicate, nor their mentality, feeling the embarrassment of being privileged in this world, unlike them.

We inquired about the habits of the village and the role of women in the community. The improvement of human conditions, in any corner of the globe, requires a long time and a change in mentality. It must necessarily start with respect for the woman, which is still missing in this geographical area, as in others. It will be precisely the women who will carry ahead the Country, pledging to eradicate corruption and social injustice, working as they have always done, to raise children and for the economy of the family and therefore of the population.

This confidence in women was fuelled by seeing the health-care behaviour of female doctors and nurses.

Observing the young Ugandan doctor in the front row at 8:30 in the morning, after the night spent on guard, ready and active at the meeting on the use of antibiotics, bode well. In addition to her good will, she showed that she understood the difficulties and obstacles of daily work, which however did not frighten her: the pride in her eyes was the winning weapon!”[/vc_column_text][divider line_type="No Line" custom_height="50"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_gallery type="flexslider_style" images="7801,7797,7811,7813" onclick="link_no"][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row type="in_container" full_screen_row_position="middle" scene_position="center" text_color="dark" text_align="left" overlay_strength="0.3" shape_divider_position="bottom" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column column_padding="no-extra-padding" column_padding_position="all" background_color_opacity="1" background_hover_color_opacity="1" column_link_target="_self" column_shadow="none" column_border_radius="none" width="1/1" tablet_width_inherit="default" tablet_text_alignment="default" phone_text_alignment="default" column_border_width="none" column_border_style="solid" bg_image_animation="none"][vc_column_text]On Thursday April 4th the presentation of the book “Call me Giuseppe” was held at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in Kampala. Today the English translation of the book  is available thanks to a contribution assigned by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

"Father Giuseppe Ambrosoli is perhaps the most significant example of the friendship between Italy and Uganda. A man who dedicated himself with enormous generosity to the Acholi people, "his people", to the point of giving his life. Even today, more than thirty years after his death, his memory is well alive in Uganda, both in the local communities and among the Italian community.

The book "Call me Giuseppe" is a beautiful story of humanity, a journey through the life of this extraordinary man and a reflection on the legacy he left us". These are the words with which H.E. the Italian Ambassador in Uganda  Domenico Fornara opened the event.

In the wonderful setting of His residence, the Italian Ambassador H.E. Fornara, the President of the Ambrosoli Foundation Giovanna Ambrosoli, the Director of Kalongo Hospital Dr. Godfrey Smart Okot and the Director of the midwifery school Sr. Carmel, intervened many illustrious guests to remember Father Giuseppe and particularly what he did in this land. Among them, the Minister for Refugees Hon. Hilary Onek and Monsignor Matthew Odong General Vicar of the Archdiocese of Gulu.

During the presentation the guests shared many personal life and spiritual experiences, heritage of Father Giuseppe’s teaching and memory. Those who had the privilege of meeting Father Giuseppe in Uganda recalled his figure to a large public, among which the German Ambassador, the Spanish honorary Consul, , the former Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sen. Alfredo Mantica and the Italian soccer players Simone Perrotta and Damiano Tommasi, along with many other friends of Kalongo.

Special thanks to the Ambassador, who has always supported Dr Ambrosoli Hospital in Kalongo and believed in the daily commitment of the Foundation. Through this initiative he wanted to pay tribute to Father Giuseppe in Uganda, in the country he loved so much and to which he has dedicated his life.

Here are some of the testimonies of the guests who took part in event:

Father Ambrosoli is a gift of God for the Acholi people: he has touched so many lives, not only in Kalongo, but throughout northern Uganda, he has left a mark and if there is anyone to be canonized it should be him. I remember that in 1967 during a vacation I caught pneumonia, with a strong pain that tore my chest, so I was advised to go to Father Ambrosoli. When I arrived he touched my head, started to pray for me, he gave me some medicine and said, "You'll be fine." I immediately felt a very cold sensation going through my body, the pain disappeared and never came back. I am honoured to be here today to celebrate a tribute to Father Giuseppe”.

Hon. Hilary Onek, Minister for Refugees in Uganda

 

"The midwifery school is truly the great legacy that Father Giuseppe left us. I call him "the miracle maker" because in the difficult and terrible moment of the war many students from other schools fell into ambushes, ours were all saved and this was a real miracle for us. Father Giuseppe was an excellent tutor because every time he could teach the students and dedicate himself to them, they passed the exams and fulfilled their future of hope. But he was also a great visionary, he always said "if I do not start and I do not pursue the midwifery school, my work cannot continue. It is precisely these young women who will continue my project for this country." Today, St Mary’s school has contributed to the growth of 3 midwifery schools in Matany, Kitgum and Lacor: here all the tutors come from our school in Kalongo. This is the dream of Father Giuseppe that has come true "

Sr Carmel Abwot, Director of St Mary’s Midwifery School in Kalongo

 

"The name of Father Giuseppe is perhaps better known in the Acholi region than in Italy. At that time many people here did not trust doctors but he managed to gain their trust. Some patients who had been visited by other doctors hid the prescriptions of the previous doctors to queue again and have the attention of Father Giuseppe. I too was a "victim" of this system: when my illness did not improve, I thought "well I will have to do so too, to be received by him!". If today I am a priest it is thanks to the prayer of Father Ambrosoli. He was a gift for the Acholi people and for all Uganda"

Monsignor Matthew Odong General Vicar of  the Archdiocese of Gulu

 

To book a copy of the book, please contact info@fondazioneambrosoli.it

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