I would like to express my thoughtsregarding the Mentoring Project realized in these years which I am proud of since having worked as teacher and coordinator.

By considering the origin context of users and socio-economic conditions of our students, I could say I have been lucky to use this teaching/educational instrument, considerably effective and efficient in constructing a system of integrative preservation of youth and social inclusion in difficult contexts.

In the school where I have been teaching for 20 years, the phenomenon of early school leaving has always been present especially among non-EU immigrant children; many students experience discomfort and contradiction of our society, everything is amplified by the condition of immigrants since they have very low knowledge of the language, use and customs with the following difficulty of inclusion and relational integration with peers.

Even if my active participation in the Mentoring Italy/USA Project of Matilda Raffa Cuomo concerns only the last two years, firstly as Italian professor and then as coordinator, I cannot but be enthusiast and satisfied of the realization of the Program.

We have had important results. In particular good friendship relationships between Mentees and Mentors have determined in students a better acquisition of self-esteem and trust, it has enriched them and at the same time satisfied them; in addition, they have acquired the skills of being assertive and proactive, available for confronting without misuse of power and distinction, with a greater opening to dialogue and its integration.

It is important to consider that among positive results there is an extensive modification of Mentee's behavior in their ability of inclusion and belonging to the school function, changing into positive the former hostile relationship with schools.

There is still in me the desire of participating to this Program in the future. It isunarguably useful and meaningful for the daily conquer of defense and improving of school, which acts in favor of active formation of all children and for all children without distinction of geographic origin or religious or socio-economic; school is a place of meeting, a theatre of different knowledge, where everyone gives and receives without barriers.

In the end I'd like to let you know about two testimonies of our Mentees with East-European origins.

...I am a thirteen year old, my name's S. B. and I have attended "Caronda" School since I arrived in Cataniathree years ago.

It was difficult at first. I did not know anybody and I did not speak Italian very well. Since two years I have had the fortune of participating to the Mentoring Project and it has been really beautiful for two reasons: I improved my knowledge of the Italian language and especially I have met two fantastic friends who have always listened to and supported me during moment of surrenders, I am talking about my two wonderful mentors.

I understood the real meaning of the word friendship and I feel more confident and stronger when I am with others.

Thank you so much! I hope next year I still will be in this fantastic Project.

...I really like being in the Mentoring Project...I have fun staying with others, playing, joking and listening to the good advice of my Mentor...I want to be like him.

With my Mentor I created a strong friendship, I looked forward for our meeting to talk to him or her. I hope next year there will be the same Mentor and especially there will bethe possibility to continue this beautiful experience..

Ventura Giuseppina, teacher.