The Ca.Stella social project was conceived by the Foundation Main dans la Main (MdM).
The Foundation was founded by Carlo Crocco (creator in 1980 of the prestigious Swiss watch brand “Hublot”) in 1998, when he decided to responsibly invest part of his company’s profits in the promotion and support of some projects for the protection of the poorest and disadvantaged children and their childhood in the developing countries.
The Foundation began working by supporting the creation of solidarity villages in order to provide housing to orphaned children in southern India in the state of Tamil Nadu, a very poor area of the country.
Over the years the Foundation’s work in India has expanded and now Main dans la Main finances several projects, which are managed in close cooperation with a local organisation, the “TDH Core Trust”, which is located in Tiruvannamalai and it has become well-established there. In 2010 the Foundation revised its Charter in order to be able to work and expand its activities in the social and child protection in Switzerland and Europe.
Over the last decade Main dans la Main has undertaken a new project that has led to the renovation of Ca.Stella, an old factory that once produced Saurolo oil, which is located in the area of Meride in Switzerland within the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio.
For many years students of the scuole speciali cantonali (special regional schools) del Sottoceneri have been engaged in “a social building site”, which has enabled not only them to grow and develop their working skills as much as possible, but also the Foundation to create a multi-purpose facility that today can welcome young people, students, schools and associations in a wonderful place in the UNESCO Park.
In 2016 Main dans la Main decided to acquire the Monte San Giorgio Camping with the aim of expanding the activities of Ca.Stella FARM-Camino Spinirolo and transforming it into a not for profit Organization that could provide young people (disadvantaged, people with disabilities, with special needs or refugees) with a variety of different exciting job opportunities in various sectors: from maintenance to hospitality/accommodation and catering. The campsite is located in the territory of Meride within the UNESCO’s World Heritage Site Monte San Giorgio and is just a few steps away from the beautiful Ca.Stella FARM-Camino Spinirolo.
Thanks to its presence and commitment, the Foundation has therefore promoted the creation of a new not for profit Company “Ca. Stella & Camping Monte San Giorgio Sagl”, which aims at strengthening the experience and collaboration of two important projects for children, young people and their families, associations, schools and groups in the territory of Sottoceneri.
The Foundation has also financed and supports two important projects in Italy: Casa di Rebbio for asylum-seekers, immigrants and young people or families in need and Fattoria Pianeta Terra for lonely children and young people, victims of abuse and mistreatment, whose project is close to being finished.
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