School reopens after 20 years - for just one student
A school in the village of Ginostra on the island of Stromboli has reopened after more than 20 years for just one student, six-year-old Aisha. Her parents, who did not want to leave the remote location, turned to the authorities, and through cooperation between the municipality, the education system, and the church, the school was reestablished in a local church. Teacher Laura Mungi teaches Aisha alone.
The school in the village of Ginostra on the island of Stromboli has reopened after more than 20 years for just one student, six-year-old Aisha. The remote village, known as an "island within an island," is accessible only by sea and has about 40 residents in winter. Aisha's parents, Monica Abbate and Rafa Bazin, chose to live in the isolated place and did not want to leave due to the need for their daughter's education. They approached the authorities, and with cooperation from the municipality of Lipari, the local education system, and the church, the school was reestablished in one of the renovated rooms of the Church of San Vincenzo Ferreri. The teacher, Laura Mungi, teaches Aisha alone. Her parents say she is not lonely and spends time with children from families visiting the village. Aisha herself expressed excitement before the start of the school year.