Red Cross volunteers tenderly caring for hospital patients

The Ethiopian Red Cross Society (ERCS) currently has more than 100 volunteers in Addis Ababa providing care and support to some of the most vulnerable patients in hospitals like Zewditu, Ykatit 12, Ras Desta, Tiruenesh Beijing, Dagmawi Minelik. One of these volunteers is Adanech Gesese, who has been volunteering with the Society for 15 years.

 

ERCS caught up with Adanceh at Zewditu Hospital, one of the oldest hospitals in Ethiopia. At the time when Adanceh was asked to sit and share her experience she was positioning a very weak and helpless patient in bed. Adanceh indicated her willingness with a smiling face but asked us to wait until she finished caring for the patient. As she turned the elderly man over in the bed she explained that the patient had developed bed sores on his back and legs due to laying too long in the same position, so it was important that she moved him regularly.

 

Adanceh takes on many different tasks in the hospital, including changing diapers and catheters of patients, assistanting nurses to make the beds, and importantly, alleviating loneliness by providing companionship to patients who don’t have family or friends to visit. Adanech Gesese is truly one of the most inspirational and compassionate Red Cross volunteers.

 

Even before joining the Addis Ababa branch office as a volunteer, Adanech had been engaged in various humanitarian activities. She mentioned the collapse of the Qore garbage dump, and the tragic scene she witnessed during what was supposed to be a peaceful rally in support of the current Prime minister Dr Abiy Ahmed, as the most unforgettable. When asked why she dedicated herself to these selfless services and often confronting situations, Adanech stated “I believe volunteerism is the best way to show how someone is responsible and concerned about their society. It is what we give for others not so much as a money or material gift, but as a gift of compassion and sincerity. I encourage others, especially young people, to volunteer and witness its return”.

 

ERCS has a total of more than 47,000 volunteers in Ethiopia who provide integral and invaluable support to ERCS and the communities it serves. ERCS is always grateful to have new volunteers to work together with us in creating positive changes in our communities. So if you are interested in becoming a Red Cross volunteer, please contact your local ERCS branch office or call the Ethiopian Red Cross Society Volunteer Management and Branch Affairs Department on 011-515-30-74 or 011-833-39-67.