Petruro Irpino, a new Italian model for locals and migrants living together peacefully

Petruro Irpino is an Italian municipality in the province of Avellino in Campania, which is claiming to serve as an efficient model of integration. In this small village, situated between the green hills of Avellino, people of different religions and coming from different parts in the world live together peacefully. There are Nigerians, Pakistanis, Afghans, Ghanaians, Salvadorans.

During the day the inhabitants of the village take care of the children of immigrants when their parents are engaged in Italian courses or other activities. In the evening, open-air dinners are organized where everyone feel togetherness beyond the color of the skin or the country of origin.

Recently Pope Francis has written a letter to congratulate those who are committed in carrying on this reality. The main idea is that smaller municipalities become the focus of epochal change in which small groups of migrants can give new life to counties that are likely to become abandoned.

Pasqualina D’ Aria, reception operator of Petruro Irpino Sprar (Protection systems for asylum seekers and refugees) takes care of Testimony Erahbor from Nigeria while her mother participates in an Italian language course in Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017. 

Angel Buendia from El Salvador in the house where he lives with his sons Miguel and Marcela in Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017. Angel was a policeman in his country but had to run away with his family after receivind death threats for having found information about drug trafficking. 

Assunta Tropeano, operator of Petruro Irpino Sprar (Protection systems for asylum seekers and refugees) holds a course of Italian language for migrants inside the headquarter of the Sprar in Petruro Irpino, southern Italy, on June 14, 2017. 

Evelyn Ugbodaga from Nigeria portrayed in the house where she lives in Chianche, near Petruro Irpino, souther Italy on June 14, 2017. 

A general view of Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017.

Locals, asylum seekers and refugees during an open-air dinner in the center of Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017. 

Vivian, Pamela Favour and Precious from Nigeria take a selfie in the square of Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017. 

People in the street of Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017.

Alima Ibrahim from Nigeria with her daughter Mariella in the house where she lives in Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017. 

Abdirahman Mamud from Somalia inside the headquarter of Chianche Sprar near Petruro Irpino, southern Italy on June 14, 2017.