Casa di Aisha: support for expectant mothers and children with heart conditions

The moments of childbirth and birth are among the most delicate and significant: they mark the beginning of a new chapter full of hope and love, but also of worries and fears. In these crucial moments of life, new mothers need deep and unconditional support, especially when they or their babies face health challenges. Human warmth, understanding, and empathy, in addition to the professionalism of specialized doctors, become indispensable, as they can make the difference in turning a difficult situation into a manageable and positive experience. Since 2022, the Fondazione Luigi Donato per Monasterio has been supporting the activities of the Fondazione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio, a center of high specialization for the treatment of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases. This includes the Ospedale San Cataldo-CNR in Pisa and the Ospedale del Cuore in Massa Carrara, an advanced center for the treatment of neonatal and pediatric heart conditions. Here, many new parents place their hopes for their sick children: 27% come from outside Tuscany and 15% from abroad. Therefore, the importance of care is combined with the essential need to find accommodation and lodging for expectant mothers, children with heart conditions, and their families. This is why the Hospital has always also focused on the presence of welcoming homes nearby, given the long duration of hospital stays for the young patients. Casa di Aisha, the project we support, is part of Enel Energia’s “In the Heart of Spazio Enel” initiative. It aims to open its doors even wider with an eco-sustainable structure made of wood and glass, consisting of ten independent housing units and common areas, including a kitchen and a living area. In this way, the families hosted can enjoy the right privacy during their stay at the facility but at the same time have the opportunity to share moments of socialization with other guests who are experiencing the same situation. Thanks to Casa di Aisha, hospitalization, in a delicate moment such as the neonatal and pediatric age, is no longer just a moment of care and medical treatment: it becomes an opportunity for exchange, empathy, and profound human understanding, to support children and mothers in difficult times and help families overcome them together. Details Location: Massa Carrara Association: Fondazione Luigi Donato per Monasterio Beneficiaries: 200 guests per year, including mothers and children with heart conditions Contribution:133,000 euros Duration: September 2023 – December 2024