The ceremony took place in the presence of benefactors, representatives of the local authorities, the Superior of the Equatorial Tropical Africa (ATE) Vice-Province, Fr Roland Mintsa, the Director of the Provincial Planning and Development Office, the Rector of the Salesian community in Damala, as well as the entire staff of the health centre. Their presence bore witness to the importance attached to this healthcare and social project, designed to serve the most vulnerable populations.

In their various speeches, those in charge praised the joint efforts that made this project a reality, despite the numerous challenges encountered during its implementation. Administrative and technical difficulties could have derailed the initiative. But, as one of the speakers emphasised with emotion: “Despite the labour pains and the struggles of childbirth, the baby has finally been born.”

Now the Artemides Zatti health centre has opened its doors, with the aim of offering quality care, a warm welcome and a local presence at the service of the most needy people in the capital of the Central African Republic. This opening represents not only the culmination of a project, but also the dawn of new hope for the residents of the Damala neighbourhood and its surroundings.