Reconstruction of schools in earthquake areas

As in all major calamities, after the earthquake of 24 August 2016 in central Italy, we were immediately operational. We chose Arquata del Tronto, the most affected town in the Marche region together with Amatrice, with 51 deaths and enormous devastation. The work was intense, in perfect accord with the locals with whom a bond of trust and hope was born.

Our new anti-seismic eco-school in Arquata opened on 15 September 2017, on time for the resumption of lessons. Completely rebuilt by Specchio dei tempi, it covers an area of 1000 square meters and houses nursery, primary and secondary schools. Designed to ensure maximum energy savings and the lowest environmental impact, as well as classrooms, offices and services, it also has a computer room, an industrial kitchen and a canteen. Each classroom is wired and equipped with a touch-screen whiteboard. The structure is covered by a 50-year guarantee and has a value of 2.6 million euros to which the urbanization costs of the area must be added.

Once the school was completed, we built a gym right next door, which was inaugurated in September 2018. It is built with materials tested in a “disaster room” that reproduces the most violent earthquakes ever recorded. It is an area of about 500 square meters, equipped with a regulation basketball and volleyball court, bathrooms and changing rooms.

More than 16,000 donor readers from all over the world contributed but also companies such as Reale Foundation and Mail Boxes Etc. Through the GlobalGiving platform and the Italian Cultural Association of New York, many Americans supported us. In total, around 3.7 million euros were raised. And the foundation’s commitment in the area continues: with a tender for small entrepreneurs, to revive the local economy and with small practical aid for the population. Like cheques for new-borns: 2000 euros for each child.

Two good news from Arquata del Tronto, the town hit by the earthquake 5 years ago. Gioia and Nicole were born, both now residing in the prefabricated houses. Specchio dei tempi gave families 2,000 euros as recognition and support for not abandoning the territory.

The foundation and the community of arquata await the girls in a few years at the school!

A year after the earthquake Specchio dei tempi rebuilt the school. The children attend lessons in an anti-seismic and eco-friendly, fully wired building that is now used as a model for new constructions. “This space is able to guarantee that all the rules of social distancing, implemented due to the Covid-19 emergency, can be followed” explains Mr Ermano, an elementary school teacher that is eager to get back in class: “I am thrilled to start my lessons again, and so are my students”. The complex, which also includes the gym, built by Specchio dei tempi, includes up to 60 children: inclusive of kindergarten, elementary and middle school students.