Did You Know . . . Many people who walk on the wall pass by Villaggio del Fanciullo on the Cesare Battisti bastion (above Porta San Jacopo) and wonder what is this place?
The Villaggio del Fanciullo (translates to children’s village), was founded in 1947 to meet the needs of poor and/or abandoned children during the post-war period. As time passed, social services began to include children in situations of family hardship and those experiencing difficulty in their family life. Foreign children, especially those who are unaccompanied have also been welcomed in the ‘Village’.
Education is very important and residents attend schools in the area. The Village offers them a room dedicated to study and a library with PC stations, where they can carry out their daily homework. Volunteers, many of whom are teachers, are responsible for both organizing study moments and maintaining contact with the schools attended by the children. Volunteers also organize activites, dinners and trips to events in the area. Some of the volunteers are actually former guests of the community.
The Villaggio del Fanciullo is a work promoted by the Church of Lucca and is inspired by Christian principles. Currently there are 11 beds occupied by boys ranging in age from 8 – 18.
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Submitted by Christine Stava
