On Saturday, February 21 the main hall of the College of Midwifery and Nursing at St. Luke Hospital in Wolisso was crowded as 50 students got ready to receive their diploma. In the corridors, outside, and in that very hall, there was a festive atmosphere. The ceremony opened with Bishop Abune Lukas Teshome Fikre, who addressed the students with words of esteem and encouragement.
“Nursing and midwifery are more than professions, they are vocations of care. You are being sent into the world as instruments of healing, standing close to life at its most vulnerable moments—at birth, in illness, in suffering, and sometimes at the threshold of death. In these moments, your hands, your words, and your presence will often speak more powerfully than medicine alone.”
22 midwifery diplomas and 28 nursing diplomas were awarded to this class. For the students, it is the ending of a dream pursued and made true with dedication and passion, which, however, “does not mark the end of learning,” said Ann Christine Moscoso, General Manager of the St. Luke College of Midwifery and Nursing in Wolisso.
“Science and knowledge are constantly evolving, and to remain effective healthcare professionals, it is necessary to continue seeking new ideas, embracing new discoveries, and staying consistently updated,” she added.
Three years ago, all of them timidly walked through the gates of St. Luke college, aware of the commitment that lay ahead. Theoretical study, exercises, and clinical practice—all took place within the walls of this hospital, where Doctors with Africa CUAMM has been training healthcare professionals for over 25 years.
“This achievement is also a great joy for the entire Doctors with Africa CUAMM team, which was founded precisely as a college for students and doctors. In over 75 years of history and experience, Cuamm has remained faithful to its mission: improving the health of African communities and doing it together. This means investing in people—the people of Ethiopia, the students of the Catholic St. Luke Hospital—walking together and learning together,” said Maria Perrella – CUAMM Country Representative in Ethiopia, in her official speech.
The Wolisso School of Nursing and Midwifery opened its doors to students from various regions of the country in 2000, and since then, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has provided continuous support. The collaboration aims to increase the number of qualified healthcare professionals in the country, and so far, it has succeeded. To date, 970 diplomas have been awarded at the Wolisso School of Nursing and Midwifery, thanks in part to scholarships supported through Cuamm.
“Now more than ever, the world needs you. In moments of uncertainty, suffering, or joy—whether in the quiet of a maternity ward or the fast pace of an emergency room—you will be the calm, competence, and compassion capable of changing someone’s life. Never underestimate your role,” said Enzo Facci – Medical Director and CUAMM doctor.
CUAMM’s presence at the St. Luke College of Nursing and Midwifery in Wolisso is long-standing, a solid collaboration that has grown over the years in an effort to offer a better study experience to many young people. In the last ten years, CUAMM has worked closely with Women Hope International, an international organization that also values education and recognizes St. Luke College as a high-level school. Together, they work daily to train students into qualified healthcare professionals.
The shortage of healthcare personnel in Ethiopia affects the system at all levels. The number of specialist doctors is far from sufficient, making professionals such as nurses and midwives essential to ensuring quality care.
Every year, this institution—recognized by the Ethiopian Ministry of Health and part of the professional school network of the Oromia Region—enrolls an average of 60 students: men and women ready to assist, listen, and build peace through the work of care.
