GARAVENTA, LORENZO. - Priest, founder of the “school of charity,” born at Calcinara di Uscio (Genoa) in 1724; died at Genoa in 1783. Of a well-to-do family, he conceived of life as a mission of redeeming and preserving poor children from 4 to 10 years of age, whom he saw being kept away from public schools in order to avoid “all social disturbance.” He received them into his home, placing over the door the words: “Here schooling is provided out of charity”; he 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 possessions and reduced himself to utter poverty, often living on bread alone, in order to provide the pupils with stationery, books, and a midday meal.
As the schools multiplied in the city, aided by the Republic and by the generosity of many patricians, he also provided the pupils with clothing and cared for the families of the poorest. In 1779 there was a Garaventine school in every district, entrusted to priests, and the archbishop established a special church collection to support them.
The school’s method was that of “mutual instruction,” employed even before A. Bell (1753-1782) and G. Lancaster (1778-1838) wrote about it, and supported by a spirit of moderate emulation.
In 1822 the “schools of charity” were incorporated into the municipal schools, and in 1837 the last Garaventine priests were replaced by the Brothers of the Christian Schools.