La favola di CAMINI

The cooperative was founded in Camini, near Riace, in 1999. Its purpose, when it was founded, was to reintegrate disadvantaged people into the world of work. The long-term goal: the repopulation of a town emptied by the emigration of many people to northern Italy and abroad. In Camini there was no longer a bar, there were no longer schools, the houses were empty and in need of renovation. In 2011, with the migration crisis from North Africa, the cooperative started reception projects. The first experience with them, in an attempt to integrate them into the small local community, was the olive harvest on uncultivated land abandoned by the people of Camini who had emigrated. From here we moved on to the production of oil and bottling. The oil is called “Camini d’Avorio” to remember that it was prepared by the boys from the Ivory Coast with the Camini cooperative that welcomed them.

The next step was the “reconstruction of the village”. Other professional figures were included in the cooperative: electricians, plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers to be able to renovate the village of Camini. The migrants participated in training courses held by local workers and are now master craftsmen themselves. Many houses were recovered, with the availability to accommodate 118 refugees, the village hotel was opened which allowed the recovery of another 40 beds. In addition to the nursery, the elementary school section was opened. Workshops were created in which refugees and victims of trafficking were inserted, thanks to the support of Buddhists, Waldensians and other associations. Camini has been the site of Amnesty International summer camps for 5 years. http://www.eurocoopcamini.com