My dad always loved children and until he was 78, he participated in the life of Cometa as a volunteer. After his death, I wanted to find a way for him to continue giving something.
Once, while listening to an educator—I also participate in the life of Cometa—he “confessed” to me his desire for the children to see the Alps. Many of the little ones who participate in the activities of A Home for Growing have never seen the mountains. Often, they have never left Como. I have been here for a long time, I live here, I volunteer, but I believe there is always a need to reclaim one’s actions, one’s decisions. Do not take it for granted.
Moreover, in such a particular moment, I really needed to start over. That desire “I would like them to see the Alps, but I don’t know how…” made me feel uncomfortable in my “chair,” I had to do something, I wanted to respond.
To remember my father, I thought that a bequest could be the way to continue the fidelity he always showed to this place. Making this donation was first and foremost for me the opportunity to reopen my heart, deepen my life by reaffirming the value of charity and solidarity. Thus, making it possible for the children to vacation and admire the beauty of our mountains was a way to continue my father’s passion for children and their education.
I accepted the challenge, beyond my daily life, beyond my images or the obviousness that this gesture could break, a way to rekindle my heart. Certainly a drop in an immense sea of needs, but a concrete possibility for life to be more life, to be more real. We are forced to change precisely on the things we try to hold onto: making this donation helped me see all aspects of my life in an act of sharing.

― Achille