On Friday 28 February, at the headquarters of the State Technological Technical Institute (ITTS) “E. Scalfaro “, to complete the theoretical-practical course of Mechatronics foreseen within the Caritas Project” A bridge to the future “, the ceremony of delivery of the certificates of participation in three young prisoners of the criminal institute for minors (IPM)” S. Paternostro “of Catanzaro was held.
The three boys, together with a fourth young man who was unable to participate in the ceremony, from November to January were the protagonists of this important educational experience, who wanted to be a small concrete step towards working and social reintegration.
The testimonies of the day
During the ceremony, in which the teachers engaged in this path also participated, the operators of the Diocesan Caritas and some students of the ITTS, the Prof.ssa Alessandra Frijo, On behalf of the Headmaster prof. Vito Sanzo, He expressed greetings and thanks to all those present, underlining the importance of initiatives such as this and the beauty of this project, which has “a title of great importance,” a bridge towards the future “, because it is what we must do: to throw bridges, to unite, to express solidarity, to create a future that is a future especially in solidarity (…), we do not have to create walls, but we must create bridges, this is the centrality of our educational action in general”. Then addressing the boys who attended the course, he thanked them for the commitment they shown and greeted them with a wish: “We hope that your life can fill up with beautiful experiences”.
The Director of the IPM, dr. Francesco Pellegrino, He underlined the educational and re -educational value of these paths, especially for a hard reality like prison, “where there are boys for disparate reasons, but still substantially because they have not been lucky enough to meet the right people at the right time in their lives”. Experiences like this are necessary to help them rediscover their skills and invest them for good. He then thanked the teachers who followed with affection and understanding in children on their journey and gave full availability to the school to welcome students to make them know the reality of the IPM, which is very often distorted by the image that present the various television series. Finally, he expressed the certainty that for the boys this experience will remain a good memory, above all because such experiences help them know the other part of the society: “This is the testimony that the company awaits you and will re -encounter you in the right way, as it is right that it is”.
Also Don Pietro cleanstodirector of the Caritas of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Catanzaro-Squillace, wanted to share his thoughts. After the thanks to the Headmaster and teachers for having joined this project with joy, to the volunteers of Caritas and the children and the director of the IPM, he underlined the need to understand how the prison “is not punitive, but is supplementary for those who live that experience, but must always have the opportunity to rehabilitate themselves”. He then hoped that this is not an end in itself experience, but can continue, giving full availability to collaboration both with the world of school and with the criminal institution.
Antonella Prestia, Referent for the project, underlined the importance of a synergy between the various institutions to be able to leave a trace of hope for the future of young people. He thanked the boys of the IPM, “to them a applause for the seriousness with which they participated” and the IPM himself “for the courage he had to adhere without fear of difficulties and also stumbling” and that he has shown that there is a vision of the penitentiary institute “which is to open up to the territory, to stay in the territory, because together we can also share the mistake of some young people who have however showed that they want to return it to the territory. A positive and profitable commitment. This is the trace of hope that I think we have all together we have marked. “
Word to teachers
Prof. Bonavita He testified to the beauty of this experience lived with great satisfaction by the teachers and also by the boys since the first day, of which he highlighted the correct and attentive behavior and the commitment with which they participated in the lessons. And they turned to them affection: “Try to give your best and better than yourself and try not to fall into the error you have done for which you are in this condition. Guys, I wish you the best for your life ”.
Prof. Small, By underlining the beauty of this experience “which has increased us in all because the boys were fantastic in following”, he underlined how “knowledge, culture, information can save us. This is the key: knowledge will save the world ”.
The delivery of the certificates
Finally, the boys in receiving the certificates wanted to thank first of all the director of the IPM, who allowed them to be able to do this path, the professors for the commitment they put in following them, the operators of Caritas who were next to them in this activity and the school that welcomed them.
A sincere thanks from the diocesan Caritas goes to the “E. Scalfaro” state technological institute, in the person of the school manager, prof. Vito Sanzo, for allowing this experience; To all teachers, who dedicated their time to these young people, not only in teaching their subjects, but above all in dialogue and welcome, interacting with them without prejudice.
Special thanks go to the director of the criminal institute for minors, dr. Francesco Pellegrinowho supported us and believed in this project.
And thanks to all those who, with their availability and their commitment, made this project possible, helping to build a more inclusive future for everyone.