The fortunate meeting between Mario Nava, the founder of Tecnolegno, and Father Emilio Ratti, a Franciscan missionary doctor, took place in Africa at the beginning of the 90s.
This important event was pivotal point in Mr Nava and his family’s life. He was directly involved in supporting some humanitarian missions in Congo, providing healthcare and educational assistance in villages that were deprived of any structure.
Father Ratti, thanks to his strong temperament and willing, with the contribution of some laic volunteers and missionary nuns, created an important medical unit in Luhwinjia. One of the wards was dedicated to Silvia Nava, Mr Nava’s daughter who died prematurely.
His sun Gianfranco, who went to Congo to directly help Father Ratti to develop the primary building structures, inherited from his father the same interest and inclination for humanitarian initiatives.
Thanks to his organizational skill, acquired within Tecnolegno, Gianfranco was able to set up the electric cabling necessary for the hospital, and along with Father Mario, he made sure that the essential materials to build the hospital and the school were supplied.
Discretion and humbleness are the primary traits of all the volunteering and charitable initiatives of the Nava family; such values are still an inspirational model for Tecnolegno.