Intersos Official Opening

'Project realized thanks to the contribution of LDS Charities'!  And our logo in Italian.  This is on the back of the INTERSOS van.

The van with our logo and recognition.  Pictured with Valentina who is the coordinator of the camp ,which is for minors and women and the van is used to pick up the minors/women from the streets of urban Rome.  They collaborate with the grass root groups who are on the streets.  This protects the vulnerable migrants/refugees so they are not left on the streets and in bad situations. 

We were singled out by the Secretary General of INTERSOS (the head shed) who came to thank the church personally for our support in this project.  He is Greek and his name is Konstantinos Moschochoritis.  

The new building which will house the minors/women has been renovated and the outside murals were painted by a street artist.  All the paintings were done as a gift to the center by this artist.

This official opening was held on Oct 11, 2017.  Tom is standing next to the sign which advertises the sponsors of this project.  We are very pleased that the church is part of this project.

Cesare Fermi, the director of INTESOS Rome Migration is speaking.  He is the man with whom we have been doing all of our 'negotiations' and we think very highly of him.  Very professional, very kind.  He is opening the ceremony.  Press was there and a very good turnout.  Earlier they held an opening for the local community so they could see what the center is all about and hopefully that helped the community to accept and embrace those who will be housed here.

Cesare and Tom discussing ideas.  We really like this organization and feel that they are doing some awesome, hands-on, getting the job done type of work.  We are very pleased to be able partner with them.  When we first met them we had a really good feeling about combining our funding with their operations.  It hasn't always been so clear who is 'good' and who is just pretending to be 'good'!!!

We  have our district over for dinner each transfer, and transfers are on Monday.  This group is lots of fun.  From left is Sorella Rhodes (from Heber Utah) and Sorella Palmer (military family so she has no home) Sorella Gleave (only one transfer left.  She signed up for classes at BYU at our house b/c we have internet) and Sorella N'Zougani (Italian).  The Anziani Alexander (Phoenix) and Young (Utah) are the zone leaders and district leaders.

MEDU has been partnered with LDS Charities from the beginning of the refugee crises.  You hear a lot about them.  Alberto(the director of MEDU) and Francesca (one of the employees)invited us to lunch just to say 'thanks'.  This is a cool (and applicable) drawing in their office..

After lunch they wanted to go to the bar for coffee.  I guess you normally don't sit down, but just stand at the bar and drink your one sip of expresso.  While at the bar, there was a mirror and I couldn't help but snap this photo.  Not posed, they were just standing this way and I thought it funny.  Notice I am still wearing sandals and capris, while Francesca is in jeans and closed toe shoes.  It's still warm here to me but not to the real Italians!