Red Cross, Intersos, and Como San Martino Parish

As I said in my last post, Frankfurt wants information:  So here are some of the updates on a few of our projects:

Red Cross project #193:  LDS Charities bought 30 mobile containers to replace deteriorated tents.  Also 8 containers for sanitary services, one for a canteen service, one for staff, one for an infirmary.

We have also done an update on Intersos project#309.  We helped provide intercultural mediators, educators, psychologists, and funds for a mobile clinic van.  Intersos runs a camp for minors and women.  The building they were given to use by the municipality needed major renovations which were paid for by other donors.  I'll include one of those photos just to show the amazing transformation!  LDS funds paid for the team to implement a speedy Family Reunification system.

You really cannot imagine how dilapidated the building was!  Sadly, I think there are many of these buildings in Rome that have gone into severe disrepair.  It just takes a lot of money to get them renovated and suitable for habitation.

Inside the newly renovated dorm room.  IKEA donated the new furniture.  Tom is talking with the Director:  Cesare

The newly renovated kitchen.  There is also new bathrooms, showers and changing rooms.  There is a new room for highly vulnerable women (these are usually women with children or with severe psychological problems)  There is a medical room with a front desk and two working medical halls.  It's a very impressive complex.

The Intersos mobile medical van for which LDS Charities funded.  The van is a very needed resource for the refugee community.

Now we are in Como checking out our CARITAS Como project #472 and #473.  Don Guisto is a priest who runs a refugee camp in his Parish.  The work he and his staff accomplish is beyond good.  I'm sure their hearts are made of solid gold.  LDS Charities provided funds for some of their residents to attend an agricultural school where they obtained a certificate and are now employable.  We interviewed 4 of these boys.  They go to school 4 days per week.  In the morning it's paperwork, and in the afternoon they use what they learned in practice.  Much of their training is with agricultural machinery.

Lamin Marong from Senegal.  He was born in 1993 and came to Italy in 2014.

Fouma Conde from Guinea born in 1998.  He came to Italy in 2015.

Daniel Marong from Gambia born 1997.  He came to Italy in 2016, one year ago.

Ali Fall.  He is from Mauritania (near Senegal....I had to look it up on the map!) He was born in 1988 and he has been in Italy since 2007.

I wanted to add a picture of the Priest, Don Guisto.  One look at him and you see kindness all over his face.  We couldn't have accomplished this project without the help of the Stake Public Affairs Director of Milan West Stake, Moreno Gianotti.  He has put so much effort into the project as well.  We think so highly these people.

How much good can one man do?  A lot!

Don Guisto the CARITAS priest.  He houses 70 residents in his parish.  At night they allow another 30 to spend the night on mattresses on the floor.  His biggest concern now is for the exploited women.  He has 10 babies currently housed in his parish!

Moreno is the Stake Public Affairs director who has put a lot of time into our projects with the Parish.  Here he is with one of the workers at the parish.