Melito. "In our territories, where the mafia mentality is rooted, we need to build positive initiatives. The opening of these two structures aimed at young people and families in difficulty today represents a slap in the face to crime and a caress to legality."
With these words, Giovanni Leonardi, president of the cooperative “Mondo in Cammino”, inaugurated, on Wednesday 27 November, the Casa di Ros and Upendo, two apartments, located in the Parco Margherita in via delle Ginestre in Melito di Napoli, which were once owned by members of organised crime.
One accommodation is intended for minors, the other will be a family-sized educational community. "Our goal," added Leonardi, "is to help young people free themselves from unhealthy environments, and to give these young people and their families, who come from absurd situations of hardship, principles of legality and a healthy education."
The two confiscated and reused assets were dedicated to Rosario Mauriello, an innocent victim of the crime organized (he was killed by mistake on January 11, 1994, he was 21 years old). A plaque with Rosario's photo - which will be displayed in the Casa di Ros structure - was unveiled during the ceremony.
A moment of great emotion especially for the parents and sister of Rosario Mauriello, present at the inauguration. "My family and I are here to thank all those who made this noble project possible - said Rosario's sister, Lucrezia Mauriello -. The lack of Rosario is strong, it will not abandon us, just as the pain accompanied by anger for an unjust death will not abandon us.
However, we are proud that we are remembering with messages of humanity, transparency, altruism that then materialize in these projects". "This project does us credit because it is aimed at children, adolescents who will go to live in a property confiscated from the underworld, the same underworld that took Rosario away from us due to a case of mistaken identity.
We are sure – concluded Lucrezia Mauriello – that from up there he will look at these two structures and will accompany these little ones, these adolescents and will help the operators who will surely complete the project».
Also present at the ribbon cutting was the sub-commissioner of the prefecture Daniela Rossi, on behalf of the prefectural commissioner Francesco Antonio Cappetta who is interim managing the Municipality of Melito. «This project has a dual value: it gives children who have lived in a situation of hardship a new opportunity, a hope to grow up in the name of values such as legality, respect, justice and solidarity.
But at the same time this project represents a sign of redemption of the territory since these structures were built on assets confiscated from the Camorra. Above all, it is significant that this asset is dedicated to Rosario, whose memory will always remain alive in this territory".
Article published on November 29, 2024 - 15:41
