“Home is where the heart is, no matter where you live.” Surafel Mengistu has returned, to his country of birth, Ethiopia. He was driven by his desire to help people. For the past six months, the trained nurse has worked at a care facility for the homeless, elderly and disabled in Addis Abeba. The GIZ supports his volunteer work by covering his travel expenses and insurances and paying him an allowance.

What is your professional background and why did you decide to volunteer in your country of origin, Ethiopia?

I completed my nursing training at the University Hospital in Mainz, but I also wanted to gain experience in my native country. Eventually, I found this project: a nursing home for homeless, old, and disabled people in Ethiopia. A friend of mine told me about the GIZ where I learned that a partner organisation was looking for a trained nurse. So I decided to leave my job in Germany and volunteer in Addis Abeba for six months. The GIZ covers my travel expenses and insurances and pays me a small allowance. That helps a lot.

Where do you find the motivation to do this volunteer work?

I think I got the desire to help others from my grandmother. She was so incredibly helpful and treated everybody so well, that had always impressed me. Engaging in Ethiopia and Helping to set up the new nursing home of the Macedonians Humanitarian Association is a fantastic challenge, and it also allows me to spend some time in my home country and to be closer to my family.