Salvatore Cimmino with Father Paolo Di Nardo

Hope is at the service of the will, the will is the result of desire and desire is generated by the power of the spirit.

I have learned that, in life, there are individuals who react more readily because in adversity they sense gratification.

At the same time, they grasp the challenge and they envision the beauty of its karma. Hope requires faith.

Cimmino Savior with Father Paul, the seminarians of the Mission of Caracciolini and the escort

On April 10th, when I arrived at ‘Kigali airport and met the generous eyes of Father Norbert, I felt as . . . →Continue reading]]>

Salvatore Cimmino with Father Paolo Di Nardo

Hope is at the service of the will, the will is the result of desire and desire is generated by the power of the spirit.

I have learned that, in life, there are individuals who react more readily because in adversity they sense gratification.

At the same time, they grasp the challenge and they envision the beauty of its karma. Hope requires faith.

Cimmino Savior with Father Paul, the seminarians of the Mission of Caracciolini and the escort

On April 10th, when I arrived at ‘Kigali airport and met the generous eyes of Father Norbert, I felt as if I had an enlightment: shortly afterwards, something wonderful would have happened.

Prosthesis Center 'Shirika the Umoja. Press Conference, from left: Father Luiz Nzabaneta, Salvatore Cimmino, Father John and brother Jean Mbeshi

The next day, on my arrival in Goma, at the Great Barrier, the Rwandese-Congo border, there were many people waiting for me who, to my amazement, greeted me as you welcome a gift. This is why my commitment to them has become a reason to live. The first person who approached me was Frère Jean Mbeshi, Head of the Prosthetic Center “Shirika la Umoja,” who immediately informed me about an intense program of activities, including the press conference the following day, the road race on tricycles , a demo volleyball match, a debate on the public consciousness of the status of the disabled, my crossing from the island of Idjwi to Goma, and finally about the closing day event, which was hosted by Monsieur Vany Bishweka in his Ihusi hotel.

Cimmino Salvatore with the athletes after the race tricycles

Every day, every moment that I lived on this strip of land that is as wonderful as it is persecuted by misfortune, war, famine, poverty, disease and marginalization, has been characterized by the warmth and the affection that the entire population has shown me. As soon as I realized that my presence instilled hope, all the fears that haunted me – above all the one of methane gas, which sometimes kils as has happened last year with a missionary while he was swimming – all of a sudden just vanished.

April 21th - Salvatore Cimmino with Father Norberto on arrival to the island of Idjwi

During my stay in Goma I was a guest of the Mission of the Padri Caracciolini, where everyone, starting with Father Norberto and Father Paul to all the seminarists, embraced me with love and support every single day, until the fateful time of my dangerous crossing of Lake Kivu.

During this period, I remember with brotherly affection a young seminarian, named Archimedes, who supported me every morning and every afternoon during my preparation, and who, on the evening of Sunday, April 22, when I returned from my successful swim, approached me like a son, and almost in tears said: “congratulations Salvatore”.

April 22th - Day of the trial. Salvatore Cimmino with Father Paul

Another time I remember fondly was when I arrived on the island of Idjwi: the entire village was waiting for me on the dock, including a music band and even a traditional dancing group, how exciting! Together with them the entire community of people with disabilities living on the island attended the event, including their President, Monsieur Joseph Mwendambiyo, who thanked me for starting the construction of the “bridge” from his village.

GOMA, April 22th at 17.00 - Arrival at the port of Ihusi

From the crowd emerged Father Janvier, the promoter of the host committee on the Island, whose baritone voice gave life to the party! Soon afterwards I was even covered with floral tributes.

Salvatore Cimmino with Governor Julien Paluku Kahongya

The next morning, the day of the crossing, we woke up under a heavy storm which prevented us from following the agreed schedule. With great difficulty we embarked in the pouring rain to reach Kihumba, the place of departure.

We had to cover ourselves with a large sheet to protect us from rain. It was nearly 6 o’clock when we arrived: the time to get ready, the usual recommendations, and at 6.18 I left.

For the first kilometers I had to swim in the rain, but in a lake as calm as a table. When we left the bay, however, the water became so rough that the support boat had a very hard time staying on track, and boy, how much I drank! Then, miraculously, the lake gradually calmed down as if it were a confortable bed. In addition to the support boat, I was escorted by many canoes and speedboats and even by a ship with 1500 people on board, who did an amazing job cheering until my last stroke.

Salvatore Cimmino with the Vicar General Luiz Nzabaneta

I arrived in Goma without difficulty at 5 PM, and a huge crowd was waiting for me: since I have started my swimming tour around the world, I had never seen so many people joining up in one place, and I had never felt such love for a country other than mine: for the Democratic Republic of Congo!

The reality of people with disabilities in Congo is very precarious: they are not supported by laws, they are constantly discriminated against and marginalized, their mobility is reduced to nothing: many people have to literally crawl because they lack even a rudimentary crutch.Girls are raped and humiliated all the time, often just because they are disabled.

Regardless of this cruel reality, I want to keep my optimism: I will fight with all my means, even if minimal compared to the magnitude of the problem, so that my Congolese brothers with disabilities will be able to assert their rights. I will fight so that the city of Goma and the Island of Idjwi may be equipped with a rehabilitation center where children, teenagers, men and women are able to regain their dignity!

Salvatore Cimmino with Father Norberto together the students of the istituto "Mater Dei" of Goma

I want to thank all the people who gave their contribution to the success of this memorable and historic event, starting from the Diocese and its foundations: His Excellency Rev. Bishop Teophile Kaboy Ruboneka, Governor Julien Paluku Kahongya, the Vicar General Father Luiz Nzabaneta, Father René Stockman, Father Jean Mbeshi, Father Raffaele Mandolesi, Father Paolo Di Nardo, Father Norberto, Monsieur Vany Bishweka, Monsieur Bandu, Jean together with the Navy, and finally reporters Roberto and Magloire Paluku and Mishapi television who, with their caring and accurate journalistic work, have triggered so much interest among a population stricken by war and poverty.

Goma, Border Congo - Rwanda. Goodbye Goma!

Thanks to Circolo Canottieri Aniene, to Selex Galileo, to INAIL, to Roadrunnerfoot, and to Acqua Sphere.

Thanks to all of you, without your support I could never reach Goma.

With Affection

Salvatore Cimmino

http://youtu.be/pciGXjwsAhc

Salvatore Cimmino with Bishop T. Kaboy Ruboneka

The response has been enthusiastic. Over 100 people have attended the charity event “A Bridge to Goma.”

The goal was to help me keep a promise made to some great friends, for a better future: fundraising, tools and ideas to satisfy basic needs such as hunger, thirst, education and health.

The testimony of young people and adolescents

His Excellency the Bishop Rev. Teophile Kaboy Ruboneka  was unable to hide
his emotions for the show of affection, of sympathy and of sharing of the difficulties that his country is going through, especially in his home city Goma, the capital . . . →Continue reading]]>

Salvatore Cimmino with Bishop T. Kaboy Ruboneka

The response has been enthusiastic. Over 100 people have attended the charity event “A Bridge to Goma.”

The goal was to help me keep a promise made to some great friends, for a better future: fundraising, tools and ideas to satisfy basic needs such as hunger, thirst, education and health.

The testimony of young people and adolescents

His Excellency the Bishop Rev. Teophile Kaboy Ruboneka  was unable to hide
his emotions for the show of affection, of sympathy and of sharing of the difficulties that his country is going through, especially in his home city Goma, the capital of North Kivu. There, corruption, poverty, diseases, and the discomfort caused by the lack of security continue to claim victims  like during the war, which has stopped only two years ago.

Together with the Bishop, I want to thank not just all the people who have attended for the generosity of their donations, but also INAIL (Italian National Institute for Assistance for Injured while Working) for the donation of prosthetic aids and devices; the industrial laundry Lavin Srl., which donated 120 blankets and 120 pairs of sheets to the Center for Mental Health “Tulio Letu”; Roadrunnerfoot engineering in Milan, which is willing to share their knowledge with the Prosthesis Centre “Shirika the Umoja”, and, finally, Emergency, who are willing to share their skills to start, in Goma, a training course for laboratory technicians for the assembly of prostheses devices.

A public very interested

Your solidarity in sharing the project “Swimming the Seas of the Globe, for a world without barriers and borders”, one that originates from the belief that poverty and inequality hinder peace, impacting on the weakest people’s lives, fills me with pride.

Removing inequalities and poverty is a necessity for social development, and this goal must be pursued through dialogue,  as a meeting point where cultures, values ​and people have more dignity.

..... and very attentive

While thanking you once more for your participation, I take this opportunity to invite you on April 3rd at 19.00 to the conference “New technologies for new skills”, which will again take place at the teatro SS Angeli Custodi di Roma, in piazza Sempione, Rome.

See you there!

With affection
Salvatore Cimmino

Education and training are primary objectives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a large country with many problems.

Poverty is rife; there are emergencies due to drought, natural calamities, wars, approximation in the organization of work and in social issues.  It’s as if the country needs a project or a plan, though there is no limit to human resources, intelligence and many natural resources despite the difficult climate.

Poverty and suffering emerge because wealth is confined to a privileged few and the needy are countless.

This is why we should promote equality and solidarity as factors essential to the creation of a world which is accessible to everyone and without architectural or cultural barriers.

Of course, wars and subsequent divisions make it difficult but . . . →Continue reading]]>

Education and training are primary objectives in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a large country with many problems.

Poverty is rife; there are emergencies due to drought, natural calamities, wars, approximation in the organization of work and in social issues.  It’s as if the country needs a project or a plan, though there is no limit to human resources, intelligence and many natural resources despite the difficult climate.

Poverty and suffering emerge because wealth is confined to a privileged few and the needy are countless.

This is why we should promote equality and solidarity as factors essential to the creation of a world which is accessible to everyone and without architectural or cultural barriers.

Of course, wars and subsequent divisions make it difficult but even more important to promote a culture based on solidarity and equality.

We must help the population maintain their dignity through the culture of peace, work, social responsibility and a more equal distribution of wealth.

I made a promise to the Centro Protesi “Shirika la Umoja”, to the children of Padre Paolo and of the Istituto di Igiene Mentale “Tulizo Letu”.  Help me to keep it, and bring a smile to their faces.

Affectionately

Salvatore Cimmino

GOMA, The seat of the governorate. Padre Louis NZABANITA, Salvatore CIMMINO, Governatore Julien Paluku KAHONGYA, Padre Generale Raffaele MANDOLESI, Padre Paolo DI NARDO

The DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) will be the venue of the next stage of “Swimming in the seas of the globe” – April 23-30, region of North Kivu, from Kiumba (on Idwji island) to Goma, 40 km. If this country had the means to exploit its rich resources – gas, oil, diamonds, gold, coltan (colombo and tantalite), and cassiterite (70% of the whole global supply) – due to its perfect geographical location, it would probably be one of the richest and welcoming places the world. On the contrary, as for almost all countries on the . . . →Continue reading]]>

GOMA, The seat of the governorate. Padre Louis NZABANITA, Salvatore CIMMINO, Governatore Julien Paluku KAHONGYA, Padre Generale Raffaele MANDOLESI, Padre Paolo DI NARDO

The DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) will be the venue of the next stage of “Swimming in the seas of the globe” – April 23-30, region of North Kivu, from Kiumba (on Idwji island) to Goma, 40 km. If this country had the means to exploit its rich resources – gas, oil, diamonds, gold, coltan (colombo and tantalite), and cassiterite (70% of the whole global supply) – due to its perfect geographical location, it would probably be one of the richest and welcoming places the world. On the contrary, as for almost all countries on the African continent, catastrophies caused by colonial wars and by nature, have prevented this wonderful nation to grow and develop in peace and democracy.

GOMA, Padre Paolo e Salvatore surrounded by the journalists after their announcement of the difficult crossing to swimming of the lake of Kivu

Today, the DRC is one of the poorest countries on Earth, and the presence in the territory of secular and religious organizations, along with the commitment of local authorities, is not effective enough to respond to the requests for help from people who live, unfortunately, in inhumane conditions.

In fact, services such as healthcare, mobility, education and security are completely inaccessible except by a few groups. In a so precarious society, corruption and organized crime are rampant and horrendously afflict the helpless people.

GOMA, Salvatore with his new little brothers and the her new little sisters

During my stay in Goma, where I went to arrange the next stage, I was hosted, aided and supported with love and skill by Father Paolo Di Nardo,a missionary in the DRC with the Caracciolini for almost 30 years, who during a meeting with the other civil and military authorities, described the enormous and scandalous hardship that the population is forced to face, which I could actually witness myself when visiting the Prosthesis Centre and the Centre of Mental Health in Goma.

The lack of the most basic means of survival tragically affects the population: 80 per cent of households can not afford to send their children to school, illiteracy is rampant, minor illnesses, such as a simple flu, almost always end up into a serious diseases, due to the absolute poverty that prevents access to medicines; the situation is even worse for people with disabilities: this condition is experienced by families as a shame – so much so that children born with birth defects are abandoned at night time – unpaved roads full of potholes, buildings without any provision for disability, almost non-existent assistance are absolutely negative factors that add to an existence that is in itself already exhausting. Finally, the total lack of security is an additional burden on a system where only the rich enjoy the benefits offered by this land, where huge wealth is smuggled away for personal convenience, leaving nothing to benefit the entire community.

GOMA, eighth regiment of the Navy of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lunch offered by the Parish of the military to the participants of the meeting with the war amputees

I make an appeal to those companies that operate in the fields of prosthetic rehabilitation and assistance, so that they will step forward to cooperate and help change this sad reality. To improve and ensure a excellent health standards and to take care of children and adults with disabilities and illnesses is a precise duty of the Western world.

The Congolese public health system is now in extremely precarious conditions, in terms of structural and financial resources, and is not in a position to meet the need for prevention, care and treatment for the majority of the population.For years, the WHO denounced this grave reality, and it is therefore necessary and urgent to strengthen their means of intervention and support for these helpless people, so as to prevent their abandonment by the world community.

GOMA, Prostheses Center. Freddy, Michelle, Therese, Padre William, Veronique, Salvatore, Padre Paolo, Padre Jason

There are positive forces in the area , like the Caracciolini, tireless in their daily commitment , like Father Paul, whom I witnessed being always enthusiastic, to the younger priests who always make themselves available and are devoted to support their welcoming mission in ways that are very rare and almost unknown in the Western world. Or like Veronique, a brave and competent physiotherapist and, of course, Bishop Kaboy Ruboneka, who truly embodies the Christian precepts with unwavering determination. I believe they all need help in this important path of solidarity.

GOMA, Salvatore & Josephine

I hope that my return to Goma on 15 April, will bring good news to children, teenagers and adults assisted by the Hearing Center and the Center of Mental Hygiene, together with many gifts to give to the children living in Father Pauls’s orphanage.

Warm regards

Salvatore Cimmino

MIT, (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Il prof. Hugh HERR con Salvatore CIMMINO

When I began my battle in the name of the integration of persons with disabilities, I couldn’t imagine, even remotely, to be able to achieve something so important: to bring my project to a world-class center of excellence such as the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

I left Rome with the idea to share my vision and my thoughts on the issue of disability: I think we can tear down the barriers of mistrust and exclusion by getting to know better those who are forced to live daily with their discomfort, through a deeper knowledge of their needs, but also of their expectations and dreams, to . . . →Continue reading]]>

MIT, (Massachusetts Institute of Technology). Il prof. Hugh HERR con Salvatore CIMMINO

When I began my battle in the name of the integration of persons with disabilities, I couldn’t imagine, even remotely, to be able to achieve something so important: to bring my project to a world-class center of excellence such as the MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

I left Rome with the idea to share my vision and my thoughts on the issue of disability: I think we can tear down the barriers of mistrust and exclusion by getting to know better those who are forced to live daily with their discomfort, through a deeper knowledge of their needs, but also of their expectations and dreams, to make sure their disability is not the only driver of their life and future.

On the eve of this trip I had confessed to the people who are closest to me, that this was the most difficult stage to complete, because this time it was about defeating the obstacles of nature, but about sharing a very ambitious plan: to make new technologies accessible to the huge disabled population all over the planet.

This would mean creating a synergy between the most important players in their respective spheres of competence, to achieve a common goal. Not an easy task if we consider that these are people who, with their personal achievements, have marked the recent history of our planet.

The MIT was represented by Hugh Herr, Associate Professor, Media Arts and Sciences, Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology Director of the Biomechatronics Group and Prof. Ken Goldman, Head of Industrial Liaison Program and Corporate Relations, while Selex Galileo’s representatives were Michael Lenton, Group Business Development Director and John Innes, Land and Naval Development.

Before going any further, let me mention the mentors of this meeting: Alberto Sarti, CTO and Strategy Director at Selex Galileo and Ken Goldman, a wonderful person, with whom I proudly established a beautiful and sincere friendship during its preparation..

The meeting, as you can imagine, had been planned for some months, given Prof. Herr’s intense academic agenda. He nevertheless introduced himself with great simplicity, making me feel at ease and calming my anxiety.

I was really impressed, as everybody else, by his presentation, where he showed his achievements in the construction of prosthetic legs, which further confirm the purpose of this meeting: to reach the necessary economies of scale for the development and the production of these advanced implants in different versions, depending on the potential of the target markets, which are both the third world – prof.Herr has embarked on a program specifically for industrial amputees of Sierra Leone – and the more technologically advanced countries.

The results are really exciting both in scientific and functional terms and, if applied, they would lead to a remarkable improvement in the quality of life of amputees. The cost for the completion of the research programs is around 2-3 million dollars, as confirmed by the Professor Herr imself.

Well, I promised myself and promised him that, as far as I’m concerned, I will make all my resources available so that his research can become an accessible and usable reality.
My contribution, as always, will be through swimming: in September of next year I will swim in the Bay of Boston a stage of “Swimming in the seas of the globe”, and I hope that on this occasion we will be able to finalize a cooperation agreement between the MIT and Selex Galileo, one of crucial importance to improve the life of all amputees.

My dream is that other major institutions will join the MIT and Selex Galileo and contribute with their competences, to begin a process that originates from the industry, which can determine a substantial improvement in the lives of disabled people and kickstart a path of real integration.

I would like to share my enthusiasm with Intermatica, a leading satellite communications provider and with the Province of Rome, who have become part of the project since the stage in New Zealand; with Stefano Testini who has embraced my cause by taking care of the PR, and with Vico Fabbris, the world-famous artist whose idea of making a stopover in Boston was a seal on this ambitious project.

And, last but not least, only to emphasize her fundamental contribution, a special thank you to Mirta De Benedictis, Group Communications Director, who made my journey possible, and who has shared my dreams of integration and equality.

Merry Christmas and happy new year
Salvatore Cimmino

Salvatore Cimmino, Padre Raffaele Mandolesi e, il Vescovo Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka

First of all I want to express my joy and pride for being here among you and for the affection that, once again, you have chosen to show me. The support I receive around the world allows me to work with determination and enthusiasm. These moments of participation and sharing contribute greatly to building a society which is more aware, more alert, more sensitive and welcoming to people with disabilities.

I am deeply honored and excited to welcome here with us today Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka, Bishop of Goma, capital of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

During the celebration that marked the transition to his . . . →Continue reading]]>

Salvatore Cimmino, Padre Raffaele Mandolesi e, il Vescovo Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka

First of all I want to express my joy and pride for being here among you and for the affection that, once again, you have chosen to show me. The support I receive around the world allows me to work with determination and enthusiasm. These moments of participation and sharing contribute greatly to building a society which is more aware, more alert, more sensitive and welcoming to people with disabilities.

I am deeply honored and excited to welcome here with us today Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka, Bishop of Goma, capital of North Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo.

During the celebration that marked the transition to his pastoral leadership to the diocese, his introductory statement called for: “The North-Kivu ceases to be the province of war, sexual violence, shame, and becomes the granary of the Congo, of the Great Lakes, of all of Central Africa. He chose as his episcopal motto: “That they may have life and have it abundantly.” The great challenges of history can be overcome only with everyone’s commitment.

The importance of increasing and spreading the knowledge of the world of the so-called “poor” can enrich ourselves more than you can imagine. Interacting with the people of the South, with their cultures and their expectations, opens up an entire horizon of cultural wealth to us who have so many things. We understand now that it’s not what we own, but sharing it with other people, that gives us joy and meaning to our lives, often locked into individualism. The next step will be on the ground, and I chose the Democratic Republic of Congo because this country was affected by two “imported” wars that have caused the death of four million people, hundreds of thousands of mutilated victims, and an economic situation among the poorest and most unstable in the entire Earth. The proposed goal of this stage of my world tour is to improve the health of the disabled children and adolescents of Goma through care and assistance in rehabilitation, education and vocational training. It certainly is a very ambitious project, but nevertheless I will go forward with all my strength and humility, because it can happen.

It is a duty of the western world to improve and ensure excellent health conditions and care of children and adolescents with disabilities in the Goma center for the disabled. The Congolese public health system is now in extremely precarious conditions both in structural and financial terms and is not in a position to meet the need for prevention, care and treatment for the majority of the population. According to the World Bank, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 10% of the population has little or no access to health care and lives at a distance from existing structures which, in many cases, makes it extremely difficult to access the appropriate care and support. That’s why it is necessary and urgent to strengthen the intervention and support capabilities for children and adolescents with disabilities, in order to prevent their abandonment by family members. In fact one of the biggest problems is of a cultural nature: when a disabled child is born or becomes disabled at a later stage, the family hides or abandons him in shame.

Salvatore Cimmino, Michael Lenton, Vescovo Theophile Kaboy Ruboneka, Padre Raffaele Mandolesi e Suor Serena

Every disabled person deserves to receive the highest degree of respect and consideration, and is entitled to the full dignity of all human beings. Very often a person with a disability develops a richer humanity, a deeper awareness of himself and of the world around him and a more fair and appropriate attitude toward life. Ray Charles claimed that all things are given to us in order to transform them into something more valuable. He became blind as a child but this did not prevent him – on the contrary it even helped him – to become one of the greatest musicians ever. He said: the music is in my blood, but my energy and my joy were the instruments I played my wonderful life with. Ray was not an isolated case: many artists, scientists and politicians have lived and continue to live with disabilities which have not prevented them from realizing their dreams.

 In the end, I make an appeal to those companies that operate in the world of health care and prosthetic rehabilitation, to make a step forward, to cooperate and to contribute to turning the painful lives of so many children and adolescents with disabilities of the prosthesis center in Goma, into lifes of joy.

Salvatore Cimmino

NUOTA CON NOI

It was signed a memorandum of understanding between the Circolo Canottieri Aniene, the Italian Paralympic Committee and the INAIL for inclusion in the world of sport for girls and boys with disabilities of the Lazio region.

An ambitious project that aims at psycho-physical recovery of persons with disabilities, by providing them with strong elements of stimulus for a complete and ready social inclusion.

For more information visit the web site: www.aquaniene.it