Caravan of the Heart

The Caravan of the Heart started in 2005 and is one of the largest and most long standing awareness raising campaigns in Europe. Its objective is to promote education as a key tool for change.

Also the principal global institutions such as the United Nations and the European Commission claims: education is the principal tool that allows humans to prosper as an individual and as a whole. For 16 years the Caravan of the Heart has spread the key message “Every human is an educator”. The campaign reaches thousands of people and makes them aware that the actions of each single person united to those of others create the world we live in.

The Caravan of the Heart operates during the summer all across Italy, from the north to the south and since 2005 it has actively involved 120 volunteers from all over the world. Between July and September they follow a coastal itinerary on board campers, crossing cities and small seaside towns. On beaches and in market places the volunteers tell thousands of people about the Vision and the Mission of the Patrizio Paoletti Foundation, creating a world of peace through education, and they collect free contributions as a support for the projects.

The support received from institutions has been fundamental in these years, with approximately 150 patronages each year, granted by ministries, regions, provinces, municipalities, organizations, universities and associations. In 2008 the campaign received the silver medal by the President of the Republic, Giorgio Napolitano, “for the significant contribution to the creation of a culture based on values and solidarity and increasing attention to protecting and respecting the dignity of the individual, a fundamental principle of the constitutional order.”

Testimonials of our volunteers

Arianna Battipaglia

WORKER

Last year’s experience with the Caravan of the Heart was marvelous and I intend to repeat it. It taught me to relate myself better with others and to understand individual differences and the variety of traditions and customs of different cities in our beautiful country. Getting out of my small world allowed me to see the immense joy that springs from giving and verifying that we all have this ability because I encountered much more awareness than I thought I would.

Gianfelice Lepori

EMPLOYEE

Everyday I am thankful for the gifts I have received from life. Countless children all over the world haven’t had the same possibilities as I have. Being able to emerge from my habitual life, meeting and talking to so many beautiful people, sharing the possibility of feeling useful and making others feel useful and engaged with the lives of those who are less fortunate than us, gives a sense of importance to my life. It makes me feel honored to participate in a big project, and I want to repeat out loud that for me bringing a smile to the world is an obligation. Being a witness that you can LIVE PASSIONATELY is not only a source of joy for me, but also a reason for hope and certainty in a continuous and constant improvement of people around me and thus of the entire humanity.

Enrico Vittorio Gennaro

EMPLOYEE

Being a volunteer for the foundation and meeting many people on the beaches has allowed me to change my innate introversion and fear of judgment when meeting people and transform it into joy and richness, allowing me to have more fruitful relationships with others now, in whatever context.

Throughout the years the Caravan of the Heart has been sponsored by:

-The Ministry of Foreign Affairs

-The Ministry of Economic Development

-The Ministry of Health

-The Ministry of Youth

In 2008 it was honored with the silver medal by the Presidency of the Republic

“for the significant contribution to the creation of a culture based on values and solidarity and increasing attention to protecting and respecting the dignity of the individual, a fundamental principle of the constitutional order.” (Giorgio Napolitano)