Giusy Dattena died suddenly in Kenya: the world of volunteering is in mourning

The world of volunteering mourns the passing of Giusy Dattena (65 years old), who died prematurely in Mitunguu, Kenya, where she had been engaged in a humanitarian mission for some time.

Family originally from Sassari, she had grown up between Cagliari and Capoterra, where together with her family she had managed an important company in the book sector for years. Since 2011 she had moved to Africa.

His is a life choice, alongside orphaned children, together with the Melamango Odv association in the Shalom Home school, managed by the Franciscans of the diocese of Meru.

After feeling suddenly ill on Tuesday 31 October, Dattena was immediately transferred to the Chaaria Mission hospital, where the doctors shortly thereafter confirmed her death due to a suspected pulmonary embolism.

«A great loss for our association», explains the president of Melamango, Giuliana Cova, Giusy dedicated her attention until the last day to those children she loved so much, supporting Father Francis and the whole school. We will miss him dearly and we will continue our commitment, in the name of his indelible memory."

He continues: «Giusy will also be greatly missed by the children who saw her as a precious point of reference. His empathy was extraordinary. He did everything with great love and sense of brotherhood. At this moment we can only be close to the family members, to whom our thoughts go out."

And even his brother Massimo, contacted by telephone, recalls the memories of a lifetime: «Ours was an indissoluble bond», he says, «before dedicating himself fully to the little ones, he diligently followed our family business, with the offices in Cagliari , Sassari, Oristano and Nuoro. To then move after the company closed to Capoterra, where he opened the bookshop in the town square."

He continues: «She was a practical and enterprising woman. We are shocked and still in disbelief. Two of our grandchildren will leave for Kenya to say their last goodbyes to Giusy, who had long expressed the desire to be buried in the land she loved so much."

And Melamango Odv also announces that the function should take place on November 11th, with the burial in the garden of the Shalom Home, a place so dear to Giusy.