GARAVENTA, Lorenzo. – Priest, founder of the school of charity, b. 4 Calcinara di Uscio (Genoa) in 1724; d. in Genoa in 1783. Of a well-to-do family, he conceived of life as a mission of redemption and preservation of poor children aged 4 to 10, whom he saw kept away from public schools to avoid “any social disturbance.” He welcomed them into his home, placing above the door the words: “Here charity provides schooling,” and gave them instruction “and education free of charge,” later supplementing the infant or elementary courses with a school of arts and crafts. He sold his property and reduced himself to extreme poverty, often nourishing himself on nothing but bread, in order to provide his pupils with writing materials, books, and the midday meal.
As the schools multiplied in the city, aided by the Republic and the generosity of many patricians, he also supplied the pupils with clothing and looked after the families of the poorest. In 1779 there was a Garaventine school in every district, entrusted to priests, and the archbishop established in the church a special one to maintain II.
The method of the school was “mutual instruction,” employed even before A. Bell (1753–1782) and G. Lancaster (1778–1838) spoke of it, accompanied by a spirit of moderate emulation.
In 1822 the “schools of charity” were merged with the municipal ones, and in 1837 the last Garaventine priests were replaced by the Brothers of the Christian Schools.
