Dr. Alganesh Fessaha
Italian-Eritrean Physician and Humanitarian Activist
Dr. Alganesh Fessaha was born in Asmara, Eritrea, and spent her childhood between Eritrea and Italy. From an early age, she showed a deep sensitivity to questions of justice, human dignity, and compassion, qualities that would later define her work. She studied Political Science in Milan before continuing her education in India, where she specialized in Ayurvedic medicine. This combination of political training and medical knowledge shaped her lifelong commitment to both social advocacy and humanitarian service.
In 2003, moved by the suffering of Eritrean and African refugees who were fleeing war, dictatorship, and poverty, she founded Gandhi Charity in Milan. The organization, inspired by the values of Mahatma Gandhi, became a vital source of support for refugees and migrants. Since its creation, Gandhi Charity has provided humanitarian aid, secured the release of people held in trafficking networks, and raised international awareness of the plight of those forced to migrate under desperate circumstances.
Dr. Fessaha became widely known for her extraordinary work in the Sinai desert, where thousands of migrants from Eritrea and Ethiopia were kidnapped by traffickers and held in inhumane conditions. Victims were often tortured, deprived of food and medical care, and forced to call their families to beg for ransom. At great personal risk, she entered these difficult environments, negotiated with traffickers, and worked with local leaders to free men, women, and children. Her courage and persistence earned her the affectionate name “the Mother of the Refugees.”
Beyond the rescue missions, she has been a strong voice for migrants and displaced people at the international level. She has spoken at global conferences, including the Meeting of Sant’Egidio in Rome, and has given testimony that has helped to shape debates on migration and human rights. Her story has been captured in the documentary Alganesh: From Horror to Hope, as well as in international media features and interviews.
She has also shared her experiences through publications. Her book Occhi nel Deserto (Eyes in the Desert) presents the realities of human trafficking in Sinai through words and photographs. A second work, Doctor Alganesh: Donna della Speranza, written by the journalist Paolo Lambruschi, tells her life story, her struggles, and her philosophy of service. These works have contributed to international understanding of modern slavery and its impact on African migrants.
Her efforts have been recognized with important honors. She received the Ambrogino d’Oro, Milan’s highest civic award, for her humanitarian service. She has also been awarded national prizes in Rome and has been celebrated in Europe and beyond as a defender of human rights. The Garden of the Righteous, which honors individuals who risk their lives to save others, has also acknowledged her extraordinary contribution.
Her humanitarian mission is closely tied to her spiritual life. As a practitioner of Sahaja Yoga, founded by Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi, she has embraced principles of inner peace, compassion, and balance. These values strengthen her work and sustain her through the challenges of her mission. For Dr. Fessaha, service to others is both an act of humanity and a spiritual responsibility.
Today she divides her time between Italy, Africa, and international humanitarian engagements. She continues to lead Gandhi Charity, oversee rescue and rehabilitation projects, and advocate for stronger action against human trafficking and exploitation. Her life is an ongoing example of courage, faith, and unwavering dedication to the protection of human dignity.
