Jesuit Higher Education in Africa and Madagascar has had many outstanding servants. Most of our higher education institutions are relatively young. One complex of higher education institutions has paved the way for new foundations for higher education roughout the continent and Madagascar. These schools were founded by an entrepreneurial and tireless Jesuit, Fr. Angelo Gherardi, SJ. AJCU-AM wishes to nominate Fr. Angelo for the St. Peter Canisius Award.
Fr. Angelo Gherardi built and developed one Medical School in D’Njamena, the capital of Chad, plus two (2) Hospitals, two (2) nursing schools, and six (6) district level health centers in other parts of Chad for the training of health care personnel. Originally from Torre dei Roveri (BG), Fr. Angelo joined the Society of Jesus in 1952 and was ordained a priest in 1964. He has spent more than 40 years of missionary life in Chad with one goal: to live charity without confusing it with welfare. This goal has become a reality in the various works that have been realized through his effort over 40 years.
Thanks to his tireless work for he poor, a district hospital wich serves the general public was built with 120 beds serving in an area inhabited by 120,000 people. Connected to the hospital for primary care activities are 10 Health Centers (CS). Goundi hospital with its 10 Health Centers was directed by Fr. Angelo and is currently one of the most efficient structures in the country. Today, it assists over 50,000 people a year. For this activity, Father Gherardi earned the prestigious Sasakawa award from the World Health Organization (WHO) in 1996.
In addition to the health service, he contributed to the construction of 2 nursing schools, an agricultural school, the operation of several elementary schools and a high school in Chad.