This health facility was made possible by the Confortini family, originally from Verona, who financed all the construction work of the building in tribute to the memory of Gabriele Confortini, a boy who died after a long illness at the age of 13.
The aunt of little Gabriele, Anna Maria Coelli, shortly before she died, decided to sell her apartments to finance the construction of a health centre in memory of her nephew Gabriele, to whom she was affectionately close, with the aim of saving the lives of poor children and thus commemorating her prematurely deceased nephew. Monica and Linda Confortini, Gabriele's mother and sister respectively, and Dario, Anna Maria Coelli's husband, took part in the opening ceremony of the centre.
The Gabriele Confortini Health Centre, managed by the General Directorate of the Afia Don Bosco Polyclinic, is the concrete manifestation of an altruistic approach to health, aimed at improving access to health care for people living in the working-class neighbourhoods of Lubumbashi.
This new medical facility will offer essential services and promote the health of the community, especially children and women, according to the wishes of the benefactor.
On the occasion of the opening, the importance of such philanthropic initiatives for the creation of resilient and future-oriented societies was underlined. And the official speeches underlined the legacy left by Gabriele Confortini through this gesture, reminding everyone that even the loss of a loved one can generate altruistic attitudes that leave a positive and lasting impact on the lives of others.
For his part, Fr Guillermo Basanēs, Superior of the Assumption of Mary Salesian Province of Central Africa (AFC), expressed his sincere thanks to the Confortini family and urged the nursing staff to give their best in their work, taking care of patients with great love.
The Area Health Director, representing the local civil authorities, said: "I was called to this opening as Health Director to verify that this centre meets the required standards; even before it opens its doors, I have no doubts about its credibility, knowing that the Salesians of Don Bosco are responsible for it."
The building was built by the Indian company "A One Builders". Fr Guislain Kaya, Administrator of the Afia Don Bosco Polyclinic, publicly paid tribute to them for having completed the works on schedule.
"This work represents much more than a medical infrastructure. It is a tangible symbol of love, international solidarity and hope; a sign imprinted in the hearts of those who have known Gabriele and those who will benefit from the care offered by this centre. And it is a meeting place between the sick and Christ", Fr Mathias Amani, AFC's Social Communication Delegate, said in conclusion.
