Dr. Giampaolo Fasolo passed away. He was the sanitary guide of the Hospital project and a big friend.

With a great sorrow in our hearts, we wish to let those who had the opportunity and good fortune to know him know that Giampaolo Fasolo passed away yesterday morning, June 28, 2023, from the affection of the great family of Amici di Adwa. Sister Laura, who had rushed to his and his wife Leda’s side, told us: “He leaves an infinite void. It is up to us to pick up the baton, with Leda leading the way. Now we have to finish the hospital: it was, IS, his dream.”

He had discovered the disease a few days before, but none of us was prepared for such a sudden aggravation….

Those who have been following us for some time know very well how important Giampaolo was to the hospital project, but we wish to share this with those who do not know him directly.

Dr. Fasolo was a landmark in orthopedics and hand surgery in Camposampiero and Padua. He headed the emergency department and was capable of true miracles in trauma and retraction recovery. The man Giampaolo was passionate about mountains, travel and motorcycles, the history of Ethiopia, and Africa. He knew how to demonstrate in every context humanity, faith, empathy and generosity that were truly rare. And he could always count on the invaluable support of Leda, at his side in adventures as in volunteering.

For years he dedicated his time and professionalism in support of the mission hospital in North Kinangop, Kenya. Once he trained local staff, he was ready to marry new projects. During a tourist trip to Ethiopia, Giampaolo and friends happened upon the Salesian mission in Adwa in 2008. The meeting with Sister Laura was decisive, the immediate sharing of ideals and goals, the great esteem and trust became the basis for a solid and fertile collaboration and friendship.

While Sister Laura launched the fundraising for the construction of the hospital, the group of health volunteers founded the ASPOS association in Padua and became the operational arm of medical planning and assistance. Giampaolo, elected president of the association, led it with great ability to coordinate and involve health friends in doing good for free and being passionate about the African cause. He was a good speaker on public occasions but also welcoming in listening and mediating in the most difficult meetings with the heterogeneous working group of the Hospital Project.

Impossible to count how many people he has saved or improved the lives of (if it is already difficult here in Italy, you can imagine in Africa what it means not to be able to use your hands to work, feed yourself, be autonomous), here on our website you can find the many reports he sent us on the health activities carried out in Adwa, first in the temporary clinics, then finally in the first wing of the new hospital.

In these last days, he dreamed of being able to come back to Adwa again to make himself useful, he hoped so much that he could see the work in the new wards that are now proceeding apace. We shared strongly with him the moments of joy and the moments of trial. Now we share this great sorrow with Sister Laura, with Leda, with the many many fraternal friends. With immense gratitude and with the assurance that we have a new angel in heaven watching over the children of Adwa.

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