In a series of interviews, Dr Ione describes her incredible experiences in the Central African Republic: A thrilling eye-witness account of the country’s history.

In 1968, Dr Ione, then a young medical student from Italy, came to the newly independent Central African Republic to help run a hospital Ngaoundaye, close to the point where CAR, Chad and Cameroon meet. She has now spent half of her life in the country, living through rebellions, mutinies, intermittent progress, and desperation. She has shared the hope of the population and supported their initiatives. Today, she is still on their side, helping them to stand up again. Dr Ione is now working for the ASSOMESCA (association des oeuvres médicales pour la santé en Centrafrique).

In this first interview, Dr Ione comes back on her convictions and on the origin of her commitment to the population of the Central African Republic.