The following report was written by Till Hüttenberger, the pastor of the Evangelical Peace Church in Mönchengladbach, Germany, who is pictured below. This report appeared first in the Rundbrief of the Waldenser Freundeskreis.
The Friends of Servizio Cristiano in Reisi on the island of Sicily just held their annual meeting. It was a positive and constructive gathering. Several new developments were discussed.
First, it was reported that a soil analysis had been conducted in the Servizio´s olive groves to determine whether the soil still has all the necessary nutrients to grow olive groves. That analysis identified some deficiencies in the soil. The soil was scientifically re-fertilized to ameliorate those deficiencies. The re-fertilization should help improve crop yields, especially after the extremely dry year of 2024. The good news is that, so far, there has been sufficient rainfall in 2025.
Second, an old chicken coop from the early days of Servizio Cristiano has been cleared out. The space will be used to grow vegetables using modern, resource-saving irrigation methods.
Third, although Servizio Cristiano´s guest house has already undergone some renovations and has recently seen a significant increase in bookings from groups both from Italy and from abroad, it still needs more work for which additional funding is urgently needed. The condition of the buildings is such that renovation measures can no longer be delayed.
Fourth, all classes in the kindergarten and in the primary school as well as in the after-school program are currently filled, and there are waiting lists for all new classes. This is a great development that shows that Servizio Cristiano’s educational work has earned an excellent reputation not only in Riesi but also in the surrounding communities.
It was reported that each class has a new small garden for “butterflies” that is tended by the students. Working in nature is a key element of the school’s educational concept. In the kindergarten and after-school sectors, Servizio Cristiano collaborates with the universities in Catania and Enna. These universities send students to Riesi for internships and training.
Fifth, Servizio Cristiano´s rehabilitation center is on the verge of getting official accreditation. The swimming pool is used by the Servizio for rehabilitation, baby swimming, and water aerobics as well as by community groups for urgently needed swimming courses for children, seniors, and refugees.
Many volunteers from Italy, including from Riesi itself, as well as from France and Germany, are working in various areas of the Servizio this year. Since 2024, the Servizio has taken on a new and important project: “Visione Riesi” which focuses on improving the situation for women, young people, and people with disabilities in the city. Women still face significant challenges in the traditional society, youth in this economically weak region have limited opportunities, and full societal participation for people with disabilities remains an aspiration. Through analysis of current conditions and practical initiatives, Visione Riesi is already achieving tangible improvements.
Collaboration among staff and with Director Woje Nedzewicz, who has worked with the Servizio for over 20 years, is excellent. Woje´s wide-ranging experience in education, rehabilitation, and facility management is serving the Servizio well.
Servizio Cristiano was founded in 1961 by the legendary Tulio Vinay. Readers can learn more about Servizio Cristiano at https://serviziocristiano.org/
