What began as a simple desire to ease the struggles we witnessed in the hospital has grown into a powerful, collective movement—born from seeing patients without attendants, families overwhelmed by medical bills, and individuals lost in the complexities of care—now dedicated to restoring dignity, renewing hope, and ensuring that no one faces their journey alone
We are a group of committed students and changemakers who refused to look away from the struggles we saw within hospital walls. From patients left without attendants, to families burdened by overwhelming medical bills, to the confusion of navigating an unfamiliar system, we witnessed firsthand the silent battles that too often go unseen.
Our work is rooted in compassion and focuses on three key areas: caring for patients without attendants, guiding families through hospital systems, and easing the burden of medical costs by providing essential support. Through these efforts, we’ve touched thousands of lives, bringing relief, hope, and the assurance that no one faces illness alone.
We are guided by compassion, caring deeply for patients and their families, and uphold dignity by ensuring everyone is respected and valued. Through service, we fill gaps where help is missing, while integrity keeps our work honest and responsible. By collaborating with volunteers, families, and the community, we achieve more, and through empowerment, we help patients and families navigate care and regain control of their journey.
A hospital experience where every patient feels cared for, guided, and supported, where no one faces illness alone, and compassion meets every need. To bridge gaps in patient care by offering guidance, companionship, and essential support; to ease financial and logistical burdens; and to empower patients and their families, restoring dignity, hope, and confidence throughout their healthcare journey.
The idea of supporting patients facing challenges within our hospital was first conceived during an informal discussion over dinner
An initial meeting was held among the founding members to discuss the objectives and outline the potential structure of the initiative
Team members, along with other students, received training from CPID on the fundamentals of quality improvement in healthcare settings. During the final day of the training, the concept of the Mirkuz Initiative was formally presented
The initiative was subsequently introduced to our batchmates to encourage broader student involvement
The first organizational structure was established, comprising founding members, general members, and specialized teams including Research, Fundraising, Public Relations, and Publication
A preliminary survey was conducted within St. Paul’s Hospital to identify key areas of need. Six primary challenges were identified: limited food availability for caregivers, navigation difficulties within the hospital, inability of patients to afford medications and investigations, lack of caregivers for some patients, insufficient resting spaces, and inadequate support for elderly patients without caregivers
The first project, Project Megabi, was launched to address food insecurity among patients through weekly meal provision. However, as further insights were gained, the project evolved into Project Teyaqi when it became evident that food was not the primary concern
Two additional programs were incorporated into Project Teyaqi: special pediatric ward visits and holiday celebrations with patients, bringing the total number of programs under the project to three
The initiative was featured in its first media appearance on Voice of America’s youth segment, where its mission, activities, and future goals were discussed
Founding members began working under the Students’ Council as reception staff in the school’s laundry service, earning a modest monthly income, which contributed to sustaining early project activities
A second project, Project Teqaumi, was initiated to assist patients facing difficulties navigating between service points within the hospital. This began with a summer volunteering program involving 50 high school students who guided patients throughout the hospital
A second national media appearance was made on Addis Zemen Gazette’s youth segment, highlighting the initiative’s progress and future plans
The third project, Project Medhanit, was launched to support patients unable to afford prescribed medications and diagnostic investigations
A second summer volunteering program was organized under Project Teqaumi
Activities across the three main projects — Project Teyaqi, Project Teqaumi, and Project Medhanit were continued and expanded
A new sub-program, Project Tsehay, was introduced under Project Teyaqi, focusing on pediatric hemato-oncology patients at St. Paul’s Hospital, utilizing a dedicated play area established by previous graduates
The initiative provided its first major financial support through Project Medhanit, contributing 30,000 ETB to assist a critically ill patient in the ICU
A third national media appearance was made on Fana Broadcasting Corporation’s program Beteseb Teyeqa, where the founding members discussed the origins of Mirkuz, ongoing activities, and future aspirations
Members coordinated volunteer programs at Meluae Foundation and organized another summer volunteering initiative at St. Paul’s Hospital
The initiative celebrated its third anniversary since establishment
The seventh special pediatric ward visit was conducted under Project Teyaqi
The third summer volunteering program was successfully implemented under Project Teqaumi
A major collaborative project was undertaken in partnership with St. Paul’s Hospital and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. The project, titled “Building a World of Play,” focused on integrated early childhood screening and support, newborn hearing screening, and the development of a therapeutic play area
The initiative provided its largest financial support to date, contributing 43,000 ETB to fund a cyanoacrylate therapy procedure for a young patient
The idea of supporting patients facing challenges within our hospital was first conceived during an informal discussion over dinner
An initial meeting was held among the founding members to discuss the objectives and outline the potential structure of the initiative
Team members, along with other students, received training from CPID on the fundamentals of quality improvement in healthcare settings. During the final day of the training, the concept of the Mirkuz Initiative was formally presented
The initiative was subsequently introduced to our batchmates to encourage broader student involvement
Scroll for more ↓
The first organizational structure was established, comprising founding members, general members, and specialized teams including Research, Fundraising, Public Relations, and Publication
A preliminary survey was conducted within St. Paul’s Hospital to identify key areas of need. Six primary challenges were identified: limited food availability for caregivers, navigation difficulties within the hospital, inability of patients to afford medications and investigations, lack of caregivers for some patients, insufficient resting spaces, and inadequate support for elderly patients without caregivers
The first project, Project Megabi, was launched to address food insecurity among patients through weekly meal provision. However, as further insights were gained, the project evolved into Project Teyaqi when it became evident that food was not the primary concern
Scroll for more ↓
Two additional programs were incorporated into Project Teyaqi: special pediatric ward visits and holiday celebrations with patients, bringing the total number of programs under the project to three
The initiative was featured in its first media appearance on Voice of America’s youth segment, where its mission, activities, and future goals were discussed
Founding members began working under the Students’ Council as reception staff in the school’s laundry service, earning a modest monthly income, which contributed to sustaining early project activities
Scroll for more ↓
A second project, Project Teqaumi, was initiated to assist patients facing difficulties navigating between service points within the hospital. This began with a summer volunteering program involving 50 high school students who guided patients throughout the hospital
A second national media appearance was made on Addis Zemen Gazette’s youth segment, highlighting the initiative’s progress and future plans
Scroll for more ↓
The third project, Project Medhanit, was launched to support patients unable to afford prescribed medications and diagnostic investigations
A second summer volunteering program was organized under Project Teqaumi
Activities across the three main projects — Project Teyaqi, Project Teqaumi, and Project Medhanit were continued and expanded
Scroll for more ↓
A new sub-program, Project Tsehay, was introduced under Project Teyaqi, focusing on pediatric hemato-oncology patients at St. Paul’s Hospital, utilizing a dedicated play area established by previous graduates
The initiative provided its first major financial support through Project Medhanit, contributing 30,000 ETB to assist a critically ill patient in the ICU
Scroll for more ↓
A third national media appearance was made on Fana Broadcasting Corporation’s program Beteseb Teyeqa, where the founding members discussed the origins of Mirkuz, ongoing activities, and future aspirations
Members coordinated volunteer programs at Meluae Foundation and organized another summer volunteering initiative at St. Paul’s Hospital
Scroll for more ↓
The initiative celebrated its third anniversary since establishment
The seventh special pediatric ward visit was conducted under Project Teyaqi
The third summer volunteering program was successfully implemented under Project Teqaumi
Scroll for more ↓
A major collaborative project was undertaken in partnership with St. Paul’s Hospital and the Clinton Health Access Initiative. The project, titled “Building a World of Play,” focused on integrated early childhood screening and support, newborn hearing screening, and the development of a therapeutic play area
The initiative provided its largest financial support to date, contributing 43,000 ETB to fund a cyanoacrylate therapy procedure for a young patient
Scroll for more ↓
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