One of the highlights of the trip just now was visiting this place SAN
PATRIGNANO in Riminijust above le Marche region on border.
It is one of the worlds largest and most successful drug rehab communities..
Started by Vicenzo Muccioli in the 1980’s/ There are now over 1500 clients
there who are self sufficient and not allowed to accept money from family or
government.
They have over 300 hectares of vines and olive groves – they produce their
own wine and extra virgin olive oil these make cheese they have a bakery
butchery skills are learnthave organic vegies they make biscuits and
bread and pasta sauces too have a loom and make hand bags from their work!!
They also do woodwork /furniture making and make amazing leading edge design
pieces!
I was bowled over by their ideas and how it works. I asked a girl to take me
around the shop and explain to me what they do.. They learn these life
changing skills their self esteem grows and then they can integrate back
into society and hopefully find work with what they have learnt. Also have a
restaurant on site with their produce..