A good place to be

Of course there is a multitude of great places to live around the globe.  We are among the fortunate ones who live in one of those.  Tuscany has been known for centuries as a place to visit and a place to stay:  history, art, hilltowns, coastline, food.  Those of us who live here can take it for granted.  At times we have to get off our fortunate “island” to appreciate what we have.  We can also gain special appreciation for our surroundings by just listening to our guests, whose envy is often obvious.  Yes, we have it good.  And to think that we landed by chance at the Fattoria I Graffi 35 km from Florence! We were searching desperately for a roof for our children’s home in 1970, a few years before so many began to look for something “Under the Tuscan sun”.

As the hundreds of children’s homes closed in the 1970s due to dramatic improvement in the social and economic situation of Italy, Casa Cares’ work with children also phased out.  Some persons find it hard to believe that the Waldensian Church first declined the donation of the property after the villa stood empty for almost 10 years.  But that’s a story in itself, although those of us who live here trying to maintain the historic buildings and the land can understand the hesitation of the Waldensians.  The Waldensians then did accept, not quite sure what to do with the place until the need for a meeting center became more evident and request for guest facilities in the countryside grew.

Back to counting our blessings, here is a quick list of how we are fortunate at Casa Cares even beyond what Tuscany typically offers its visitors:

• A great international staff including volunteers, typically young people who share with us their open thinking, energy and enthusiasm
• Guests who integrate easily and quickly into the rhythms and atmosphere, many of whom make donations for special projects such as the renovations on our chapel/theater
• Five hectares (12 acres) of woods to retreat to and to find firewood
• Sensitivity to and experience in care for the environment with solar energy, recycling, natural water purification, energy-saving practices
• A kitchen that is enriched by the production of our garden
• 500 olive trees that give us a great activity during the harvest when we normally have few guests
• Buildings which are centuries old and full of character, remnants of the large sharecropping culture that once dominated Tuscany
• A four kilometer circle walk with the possibility of visiting a 12^th century country church and a still active olive press
• Only 15 minutes from the Vallombrosa monastery founded in the 11^th century and surrounded by one of the most beautiful forests in Europe
• Integration into the local community
• Space for indoor and outdoor activities
• At 500 meters altitude, a magnificent view of the Arno River Valley
• The decorative art of many who have passed through our door
• Lasting friendships with many who originally entered our lives as volunteers or guests.

Comments

[Yasmien Nirvana]

Well stated! Thanks for sharing your wonderful thoughts!

[Nuri Rossignol]

Were you able to find a roof for the children back then? If yes, then what roof did you get? There is a wide selection of styles in the 1970's, and this includes the Spanish-Style Roof (comes with red tiles and used in brick houses), Shed Roof (included in the 1970's shed house plan), Cross-Hipped Roof (the Ranch-style roof) and the Gable Roof (was introduced in 1850 and became popular in the 1970). These were styled by architects.

[אסלות]

The post regarding Waldensians then did take, not quite sure what to do with the position until the need for a getting together with middle became more obvious and ask for for visitor features in the outlying matured.