Italy: Marina Trivelli, volunteer of the year for her work in Angola

When asked about her job she says that it gives her a lot of satisfaction. She also talks about her experience as ?a unique occasion for a doctor? and as a chance to ?give and receive a lot more than I would have had I stayed in Italy?.

Marina Trivelli, according to Italy?s association of NGOs – Focsiv – is this year?s international volunteer of the year. She lives in Angola?s deep south, in the Kumene region on the border with Namibia. Right in the middle of the Savannah, a place that is hard to pin point on the map.

At 38 Marina has completed her specialisation in surgery, at Pisa in Italy, and is now clinical director of the hospital in Chiulo, a hospital that runs on an electric generator and one of the only two hospitals in the whole region that serves 500 thousand people.

Formally she is a surgeon, but after working in Angola for four years she has become an expert in infectious diseases, a paediatrician, a specialist in internal medicine as well as in the treatment of Hiv and tuberculosis. She also manages the administrative side of things and the hospital?s human resources.

What led her to choose her unusual career? ?To be honest it wasn?t really me who choose them? she answers, referring to Medici con l?Africa Cuamm, the organisation that sent her to Angola. ?I was chosen after a very rigorous selection? she adds.

At the hospital at Chiulo there are three other doctors on Marina?s team. Two Italians and one Angolan, all employed by Medici con l?Africa Cuamm who shares the hospital?s running costs with the government in Luanda, Angola?s capital.

Marina recalls that in 2004, when she first arrived, Aids was still taboo. But today Aids treatment has come a long way, especially due to government efforts. ?The government has been active, from training programmes to awareness campaigns that reach even the remotest villages? says Focsiv?s award winning volunteer. She modestly doesn?t mention the huge impact that her hospital is having in the treatment and prevention of the disease, but she does admit that if it weren?t for aid agencies it would be hard to find Angolan doctors who were willing to give up everything and move to the Savannah, were there are no services and no electricity.

And the future? ?I am confident. As the situation improves I am sure people will change their minds?. Marina didn?t expect to win the prize, although she knows her project is very special. ?I am happy because perhaps this prize may serve to let people know that development aid really works. During my time her I have met NGO workers who have lost hope, who think that the battle is helpless here in Africa. Well, its not true. When I see how people are improving their lives, how enthusiastic young people are, I am reminded that it is worthwhile staying here?.

More info:
www.mediciconlafrica.org