Monday had us back in class, but class here often means a field trip, so we headed to Refugee ScART. I wish I could properly convey how amazing this place is. It was started by a woman (with a Ph.D. in Italian Renaissance!) who wanted to help the refugees back in 2011.
Without any background in art, she and some refugees started collecting trash around the city (mostly plastic bottles and bags) and recycling them into beautiful and useful works of art, such as bags, pencil cups, iPad cases, and more.
Goods for sale at Refugee ScART.
The pencil cup I bought š
The refugees keep 100% of the profit of what they sell. The city of Rome donated the space for their business. The Roman citizens who help out there are volunteers. The material they use is the recycled goods they pick up off the street, so not only are they earning their own living, but they are cleaning up Rome at the same time!
This refugee spoke Italian better than I do, but I still managed to ask if I could take a picture of him holding one of the bags he made. š
They are given dignity through being able to work and contribute to society. They wouldn’t talk about their extremely difficult journeys from their homelands, but it is too painful for them. But they hope to go home someday.
In the afternoon, we had time to work on our two big projects that are do this week. In the evening, we went to the opera at the Baths of Caracalla, so now I can say I’ve been to an outdoor opera in Rome!
