Rome (NEV), January 20, 2018 – There is much disappointment among the inhabitants of Ripabottoni, a village of the Molise hinterland, for the closing of “Xenia”, the local reception centre (CAS) and hence for the transfer of the 32 young Africans living there, ordained by the Prefecture of Campobasso (capital of the region). A decision that the town citizens tried in every way to avoid, even through the collection of over 150 signatures in favor of the presence of the asylum seekers in the territory of Ripabottoni.
Miriam Sauro, one of the Xenia operators and member of the local Baptist church, recalls that 15 months ago, when the news of the upcoming opening of a CAS arrived in town, citizens reacted with apprehension and collected signatures to prevent the migrants arrival. But when the guests arrived, the people of Ripabbotoni showed themselves for what they’ve always been: welcoming and supportive. A beautiful story of successful integration started and involved the whole community, including the Baptist and Catholic churches.
Marta Bernardini, one of the operators of the Mediterranean Hope (MH) program of the Federation of Protestant Churches in Italy (FCEI), is another witness of this experience. She spent her summer holidays in the village and remembers how the young Africans did not only integrate in the religious communities, but they also contributed to the reconstitution of the local soccer team.
No wonder then that everyone in Ripabottoni was upset at the news that the reception center would be closed in favor of a centre for unaccompanied minors (SPRAR), which foresees a more stable program of integration, wanted by the Municipality so to avoid “social alarm often generated by temporary reception programs”. An initiative of the Mayor who appealed to a regulation that considers alternative the presence on the same territory of different reception projects, without taking into consideration the running positive experience and the will of the population of Ripabottoni.
The prefect has thus accepted the Mayor’s request and ordered the closure of Xenia, without even listening to the signers of the petition for the stay of the young migrants. “Closing Xenia is not like closing down a warehouse”, Sauro said firmly. “But, the interruption of a good story of integration was preferred, leaving to the town records this ugly epilogue”.
