Project Piano Freddo and MVI in MIlan

LDS Charities bought 5 computers and a badge making machine for the municipality of Monza.  This is a copy of the badge and it has our logo on it as well as the other donors to the project.  The project has benefited over 550 refugees.

The counselor in the Stake Pres, the Director of Social Services in Monza, Monia the Stake Public affairs, and Mara a volunteer member of the church who works with the refugees.  We are off to visit the 5 sights where the computers are in use.

This is the program that has been installed.  It registers the refugees, and then issues them a badge/card.  The card identifies when and how the refugee uses social services:  bed, shower, laundry facilities, food, clothing.

At this site, the used clothing is cleaned and sorted and stored.  The refugee can come and 'shop' with his/her card.

Volunteers, workers, missionaries, Director of Social Services, members of the church all work together to make life for the refugee a bit more manageable.  'Respect' is what is given to the refugee through this program.

All computers have the LDS logo

Anna talks with Elder Herway.  She is in charge of the soup kitchen.  She is in her 80's and still going strong.

At the soup kitchen, the computer and scanner are being shown by one of the volunteers.

When the refugee enters the building, their card is scanned, and they are admitted for dinner.  Same process is used for all the services:  for food, clothing, sleeping, laundry, showers, etc.  This allows social services to keep track of the needs and to identify those with the greatest need.

The soup kitchen in action

Another location that our computers and badges are being used is with the Catholic church and their soup kitchen.

They were proud to show their facilities and very grateful for LDS contribution of computers

That night we attended a fund-raising activity.  It was a theatrical performance.  The MVI Director thanked the church publicly for our donation towards their new mobile medical unit.

The fund-raiser activity was a theatrical performance by this talented young lady.  It was a one -person show and she had her lines memorized and talked for a full hour.  Amazing.

After the show we had a linger longer.  Pictured here with Raimondo Castellani and his wife, Anita.  The other lady is also Anita.  So we were 'The 3 Anitas'.  Also in the photo were a couple of the leaders of MVI