The generosity of the Maltese and a priest's dedication have extended geographic boundaries and paved the way for a young Ethiopian to realise his dream and become a doctor in Africa.
Zemenu Fetene had wanted to become a physician since he was a child, after losing his parents when he was a fifth grade student.
Since then, he grew up in a government hospital in Ethiopia, cared for by Ġesu Fil-Proxxmu director Fr George Grima.
"I saw pregnant women succumb to malaria and children to diarrhoea. I lived and grew up with TB and HIV positive patients," he recalls.
"Still a mere boy, I saw so many scary things in that hospital. This was the time when my desire to become a doctor became more adamant."
Mr Fetene dreamt of saving lives and reducing the number of deaths in Ethiopia, and anywhere else in Africa. However, none of this would have been possible were it not for Mid-Dlam Għad-Dawl director Fr Mark Montebello, who, hearing of this young man's determination, launched a campaign to raise funds for his studies in November 2008.
The move was a great success and, today, the young Ethiopian is studying medicine.
"I call Zemenu frequently on his mobile and we also keep in contact with e-mails. I follow his progress in his medical studies and he sends me his university results," said Fr Montebello.
"From the funds I succeeded in collecting, I pay his tuition fees and provide him with some pocket money. A few months ago, I bought him a laptop, since he needed it badly for study purposes. This gave him immense joy. Perhaps you cannot imagine what an enormous boost this has been to him. Such a thing was unthinkable to him just a few months ago."
Meanwhile, Mr Fetene admits that, had it not been for the Maltese, he would not have realised his dream.
"I look forward to the day when you can be proud of the care which you have given. I look forward to the day when you will see patients leaving my clinic in good health," he wrote.
The public can still contribute towards Mr Fetene's studies by sending a cheque to Dar it-Tama, Matty Grima Street, Cospicua, BML 1161 or depositing money directly to HSBC account 023 160 989 051.