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In 1986, Vittorino and Wanda Carra, Gilda e Raffaele d’Ari visited Manila along with Father Rizzo and Father Bebber – both Camillians – and saw the place where the Camillian missionaries led, with few resources, a small nutritional center. Back in Italy, a collection was made among friend, and the first raised funds are paid into a current account and periodically sent to the Camillian Fathers.
After Vittorino’s unexpected death in 1989, his wife Wanda, his children, and his friends, decided to continue the path he had tread, in honor of the man who had cared whole-heartedly for the needed. As a result, a collection was made and the first funds raised were sent to the Camillian missionaries in Manila.
The Camillians used the funds raised to start the construction of a General Hospital around 20 km from Manila, in Cogeo, with an attached nutritional and educative center, that will be called “Vitorino Carra Learning Center”.
After a few months, the first pictures arrived: on a vast piece of land, the initial foundations of a large building. Wanda was a bit worried about the funds that would be necessary for finishing the work, but Father Luigi was calm, always remembering with abiding faith that “Providence is always there!”
When, after finishing the first floor, works stop due to lack of funds, the manifestation of Providence came through Father Pio’s worldly representatives.
During 1991, Wanda came across Cassio Morselli, a friend of Vittorino’s. Cassio was part of the Administrative Council of the Foundation for Father Pio’s “Suffering Relief House”, and she told him about the economic difficulties for finishing “Vittorino Carra Learning Center” at Cogeo, General Hospital with attached nutritional and educative center. Cassio contacted Monsignor Ruotolo, president of the Foundation, who accepted offering a US$150,000 contribution that will be essential for finishing the work.
Works continued and the first floor was finished.
On July 1st, 1991 “Vittorino Carra Learning Center” was finally opened.
Father Luigi wrote:
Dearest Wanda, “Vittorino Carra” center has finally started. It was moving to see the children on the day of the opening, all full of simplicity and joy. In a brief speech, we have remembered Vittorino, who had inspired the work, and also you, who have been waiting for the big inauguration. I have reminded the children that they have to pray every day for our friends and benefactors. Today, July 1st, we have also opened the Day care Center. For the time being, there is a doctor, two nurses, a pharmacist, and some other people. We are waiting for the equipment for the X-rays, the dentist, and the laboratory. Meanwhile, we get along as we can. Even water has been a blessing from the sky. The well dug gives us water in abundance, even if it was dug mostly in the rocks. I believe somebody is blessing us from up there. Manila, July 1st, 1991.
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The official inauguration took place on January 4th, 1992.
There was great enthusiasm: Welcoming signs at the entrance, festoons, flowers. The authorities arrived: the Bishop; the Social Affairs and Development Philippine minister, Mita Pardo De Tavera; the Italian Ambassador, Mario Crema; the Camillians working in Manila, guided by Father Luigi Galvani; and other authorities coming from Thailand and Taiwan.
After the ribbon cutting and the official speeches, everybody went to visit the General Hospital, that offers services in radiology, dentistry, minor surgery, and preliminary tests laboratory. Some days afterwards, ill people will crowd the place and will receive, maybe for the first time in their lives, loving care and fraternal help, and will be able to wait against any hope.
The President of the Foundation gave Wanda a trophy that replicates the logo: Vittorino’s hand shaking the tiny hand of a child. The dedication read: “To The Most Honourable Vittorino Carra, an acknowledging and sincere appraisal for his generous and invaluable help to the Camillian Fathers’ Missions in the Philippines. His love and his concern for fostering health, education and welfare of the poor and needed children of Marikina, Pasig, and Antipolo communities has inspired others to continue this noble duty in the service of humanity.”
Nevertheless, the protagonists of the party were the children, that wore T-shirts printed with the logo “Vittorino Carra Day Care Center”. They sing the Philippines National Anthem and, afterwards, Italy’s National Anthem, accompanied by a cheerful orchestra.
There was great enthusiasm and commotion. It is the children that, a couple of months now, were housed in the lateral pavilian destined to them, where they receive food and assistance. At least for the, a light of hope has been lit and the certainty of being very important to somebody.
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