Stella Polare Foundation (FSPO) is a non-profit organization that aims to be a dynamic social force for all-round progress. Through universal principles of life and activities that promote social welfare, we seek to reawaken in people the awareness that by living consciously, they can co-create a paradise on earth.
HOW YOU CAN HELP

Goal: 48179     Raised: 11705 

A ROOFTOP PLAYGROUND

The ‘Street On The Rooftop’ is an area dedicated to children so that they can play freely in maximum safety, away from mopeds and cars that continually dart through the streets of the neighbourhood, and whose drivers often do not have a driving license or even insurance.

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Goal: 10155      Raised: 2500

A RECORDING AND DUBBING STUDIO

A recording studio where the neighbourhood’s children can create their own songs and where they can also be voice actors dubbing famous cartoons. A place of creativity, fun and pride!

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Goal: 18360      Raised: 6700

AN AIKIDO DOJO TO LEARN SELF-DISCIPLINE

A space dedicated to learning and practising self-discipline through Aikido, the only martial art that uses solely self-defence and not attack techniques, a meaningful approach in a neighbourhood where, to be respected, one must be aggressive, or, at least, appear to be so.

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GET INVOLVED
Starting with your goodwill, it is always possible to find ways to help others; it does not matter where you are. Whether the most fragile and distressed human beings or the suffering animals and plants benefit, your contribution, however limited it may appear, is a symbol of humanity that enriches us all.
WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU
Our services are twofold: 1. help disadvantaged residents with services for the well-being of their children, improve the conditions of their homes if they are in disrepair and provide volunteer legal consultants to help them navigate across the bureaucratic jargon to obtain their rights.
2. organize selfless service activities for those who want to help but do not know how to organize themselves about it.
GIVE A DONATION
Giving expands both the heart and the mind; it develops kindness, generosity and open-mindedness. No one is an island: what improves the lives of others ultimately also improves ours. Due to the many subtle beneficial effects of altruism, giving also teaches us to detach ourselves from our worries.
OUR PROJECTS

These are our active projects, which we are still expanding and improving by paying particular attention to the needs of our beneficiaries, and also thanks to our sponsors’ continuous support and our volunteers’ inspired dedication.

THE SPRING
THE SPRING
17 April, 2020 in  Fondazione Stella Polare | EN
LET’S DO IT OURSELVES TOGETHER
LET’S DO IT OURSELVES TOGETHER
17 April, 2020 in  Fondazione Stella Polare | EN
PEOPLE’S DENTAL SERVICE
PEOPLE’S DENTAL SERVICE
17 April, 2020 in  Fondazione Stella Polare | EN
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
ALTRUISM IN ACTION

A healthy human society needs to adopt the path of synthesis, establishing unity in
diversity on the basis of a universal outlook. This is best achieved with the psychology of service and welfare. So be a volunteer, and become a pioneer of the ideal future!

 

DONA IL TUO 5X1000
DONA IL TUO 5X1000

Dona il tuo 5×1000 alla Fondazione Stella Polare Onlus per permetterci di continuare a rincorrere i nostri ideali di attivismo altruista anche per conto tuo. Informa il tuo commercialista o CAF della tua decisione, e condividi con loro il nostro Codice Fiscale 90028930882.

DONATE YOUR 5X1000

Donate your 5 × 1000 to the Stella Polare Onlus Foundation and allow us to continue chasing our ideals of altruistic activism also on your behalf. Inform your accountant or CAF of your decision, and share our Tax Code 90028930882 with them. If you do not live in Italy, this does not apply to you.

WHAT DRIVES US
OUR FOUNDING SPIRIT
Stella Polare draws its social inspiration from neo-humanism, that is, the extension of the spirit of love and respect toward fellow human beings to other created beings, be they animate or inanimate. In other words, neo-humanism is the elevation of humanism to universalism.
WHAT DRIVES US
OUR FOUNDING SPIRIT
Stella Polare draws its social inspiration from neo-humanism, that is, the extension of the spirit of love and respect toward fellow human beings to other created beings, be they animate or inanimate. In other words, neo-humanism is the elevation of humanism to universalism.
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HELPED PEOPLE
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VOLUNTEERS
SOME OF THE RESULTS ACHIEVED
Sometimes what counts most is simply to be present, to provide people the subtle and reassuring feeling that someone is caring, that in this day and age of self-centeredness and indifference, there is still scope for altruism, for sincere friendship and fellowship.
SOME OF OUR CHILDREN

They are the most inspiring aspect of our work; with their inexhaustible desire to live and learn, and the simplicity with which they live in the present, they contribute every moment to make alive and exciting our mission to build a better future for everyone.

jasmine
Jasmine

Jasmine is a lively girl, she is always ready to play with everyone and she is a real warrior. She likes to draw, run wildly and swim in the sea.

emily
Emily

Emily is very talkative, she likes to talk about everything and more, and never spares anyone a hug and a kiss, especially for the little ones. She is a great lover of skates, so much so that she puts them on even when she is inside the classroom.

asia
Asia

Asia is solar, and at the same time sensitive. She is a wild dancer and no one can stop her as soon as the music starts. But she also likes to paint and go for walks and hikes.

michelle
Michelle

Michelle is sweet, calm and peaceful. She is always ready to help everyone and never loses her patience. She likes to play with the sand at the sea and to build many beautiful things with paper and other materials during the afternoon activities.

corinne
Corinne

Corinne is sociable and always busy, she can never stay still and is busy doing something all the time: writing, drawing, telling, playing. She likes to play with the slide and the swing in the games room, and loves also to hum songs.

clady
Klady

Klady is a force of nature: he runs, jumps, moves with his bike on the terrace, plays with the ball and no one dares to stop him. He is also very disciplined when he does his homework and, even if he throws a bit of a tantrum at times, he is very tender in nature and listens to what you have to say to him.

walid
Walid

Walid is full of ideas, he always invents something new, be it a drawing or a work with ceramic, he does it with originality and ingenuity. He is good at reading, he likes to run on the beach and collect shells to take home.

jason
Jason

Jason is insightful, you never find him unprepared and always knows what to answer in any situation. He loves playing football and sports in general and is very polite and diligent when he does homework and other activities.

david
David

David is a great prankster, he is always joking and laughing and always involves everyone when he plays because he easily relates to others. He is a great football goalkeeper, likes all kinds of board games, but above all he loves to dance.

federica
Federica

Federica is nice and playful, there is always a big smile on her cheeks and she likes to embrace everyone. She is also very determined and when she decides to do something, she completes it by trying to do it in the best way.

agata
Agata

Agata is whimsical, has a real talent for art and has made many paintings and drawings with many different colors and shapes. At the sea, she always wants to be in the water rolling around on the shore and getting carried away by the waves.

chantal
Chantal

Chantal is fun and entertains others by always giving everyone one of her contagious smiles. She loves the art lesson, where she indulges herself in coloring the sheet with tempera, drawing everything that comes to mind!

deborah
Deborah

Deborah is quiet, plays with everyone, young and old and is very good at reading and doing homework in any subject. She likes board games, soccer, the swing and masquerade parties (she dressed up as an angel at carnival!).

maria
Maria

Maria is a rock, when something goes wrong in the games, she is the first to try to resolve the issue and everyone trusts her for it. She enjoys dancing and acting and is also very good at singing!

hillary
Hillary

Hillary is intelligent, she is continually committed to making jokes and never lets herself be defeated in this. She always moves around in roller skates and also likes to organize and conduct games such as jumping with hoops.

andrea
Andrea

Andrea is kind, patient and respectful, he participates in all activities with great enthusiasm. He is very good at learning to do new things and always has a lot of stories to tell about what happens to him. He likes outdoor games, especially hide and seek and “one, two, three: star”!

oussama
Oussama

Oussama is a born painter, he easily draws any subject and does it with a lot of passion. He works hard at homework and has a great learning ability. He likes to play rope and hide and seek.

giuseppe
Giuseppe

Giuseppe is respectful and always treats everyone with gentleness. He likes to listen to music and has a great imagination. His passion is the slide and the bicycle, with which on sunny days he likes to ride on the terrace.

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THOSE WHO KNOW US

In a world full of mirrors and filters that exist to tame reality, there is nothing better than direct experience, than meeting the interpreters and touch by hand the work done, in short, to distinguish facts from mere interest.

Luca Pereno Photo
Luca Pereno
On behalf of sponsor Leroy Merlin

As a company we have always tried to give priority to small associations close to problems and to those who live daily within the field.

The Stella Polare Foundation immediately seemed to correspond to these principles, but the love at first sight came on the occasion of the first visit to the premises and to the project. The fact that the “periphery”, not only geographical but also existential, is placed at the center of the Foundation’s activities seemed to us a guarantee of quality.

Particularly appreciated were the search for sobriety and poverty – understood as a positive and more noble value of the term – applied daily by Dada and his volunteers in the care of children and in daily life.

Since we have always tried to invest in relationships, rather than spot interventions, projects such as Emporio and the Officina Fai da Noi or Lessons for Good, created by the Catania store in 2018, were born.

Thanks Dada and thanks to your volunteers who teach us the value of small things!

Renata Cotronelo Photo
Renata Cotronero
President of sponsor organization Associazione Amici nel Mondo

Many things in life are not explained according to our will, but only through acts of love.

So I see the project that Dada has been carrying out for a few years in one of the poor neighborhoods of Catania.

If I had not personally visited the place where Dada Ganadevananda is carrying out more projects, with determination and skill, I would not have considered that in our Italy the need to intervene was as great as in any other weaker country.

I am sure that the various projects that have already started and others that you intend to undertake, will be a great enrichment not only material, but above all moral and spiritual for the whole Community in which you work, since your inspiration is so strong as to “convince” even the more sceptical.

ananta_and_karuna
Ananta end Karuna
Visitors and private donors

During the first visit to this project, our impression was that the foundation was just what this neighborhood needed and had probably been waiting for a long time.

The many volunteers who collaborate from different parts of Italy and the world make it clear, with their dedication, how it is possible to alleviate difficulties by fully living the spirit of service, combining it with joy.

The smiles and the overflowing exuberance of the children welcomed by the structure invite you to reflect on the importance of places like this, made of love and light. Who fully realize the essence of human life.

cosimo_de_cillis
Cosimo De Cillis
Visitor and president of the sponsor AMURT Italy Association

In a context of degradation, of total absence of institutions and any form of support, the only rules are the neighborhood ones. Dada Ganadevananda, a hero of our days,  has managed to breach into this context: a white fly, a tough and determined man, firm on his strong legs, aware of his knowledge but above all with an immense sense of duty, an infinite love for his neighbors and armed of a sincere smile.

With his determination and together with a small handful of volunteers, he created something that for many was a utopia, starting a major renovation, giving new life to an imposing, semi-abandoned building.

His vision of serving others has led to the realization of other projects: from the summer Grest to after school support; from artistic laboratories to a dental practice; all with the sole purpose of offering a chance for a better future to children and less well-off people in these degraded areas of Catania.

His willingness to help is not limited only to children and people in this neighborhood in difficulty: the Dada has put in place a much larger and more complex project, aimed at elderly people in difficulty and women victims of violence.

What can I say .. to a person with so much will and such disarming altruism, goes my whole esteem.

dario_monterosso
Dario Monterosso
Volunteer

An extraordinary project born in the working class heart of Catania often left behind, where disadvantage is of economical nature as well as for social and cultural issues. It is a very ambitious project and it has been realized with little resources and with many sacrifices from the staff and the supporters, always in constant evolution to expand the rendered services in support of the families. 

It is my honour to give my little contribute putting myself at the disposal of the foundation as a person and as a professional.

vincenzo_citto
Vincenzo Citto
Volunteer and sponsor
The “Stella Polare” foundation is both cultural and aggregative initiatives and concretely offers the possibility to practice sport and artistic activities, so that teenagers discover their own passions and build a career path, an oasis of sincere love for the economical and social development.
giuliano_cardella
Giuliano Cardella
Volunteer and sponsor
I joined with enthusiasm the project of the “Stella Polare” foundation, because it immediately seemed to me a great initiative to concretely help the children and the families of the neighbourhood, putting my skills at the service of a greater cause.
HERE ARE OUR VOLUNTEERS

Regardless of the level of competence or experience of each volunteer, what in the end makes the difference is how much heart accompanies their work, that passion of being an instrument of positive change, for themselves and for those who approach with confidence and need, to recite together a verse of that poem called life.

dada_ganadevananda
Dada Ganadevananda
Founder and legal representative

Founder, president and legal representative of the Foundation, Dada Ganadevananda, since 1987 engaged with various managerial positions in AMURT’s international solidarity projects, in Southeast Asia, in the Middle East, in South America and in Far East. Since thirty-five year practicing yoga and meditation, and, an amateur poet.

gandharii_chua
Gandharii Chua
Policy and systems

From Singapore, a lawyer and expert / trainer in the field of nutrition and health practices, trained in music, homeopathy, naturopathy, graphology and yoga. She has practised yoga and meditation for more than 25 years and is responsible for organizational procedures and group work.

tino_d_antonio
Tino D'Antonio

Surveyor with a long experience in the direction and supervision of important construction sites, that is, of major works such as bridges and roads, Tino is a very reliable and competent technical resource, in short, a true master builder capable of perfectly designing and masterfully building masonry work, electrical and plumbing systems. Thanks to his service, the renovation of the building has happened quickly and with great savings.

federico_agosta
Federico Agosta
Tuition and music creativity

I’m 31 years old and I come from Milan, Italy. I graduated at the German school of Milan and I’ve done various jobs, including working as a tourist guide, as a speaker overdubbing TV programs in German, English and Italian for different water sports and sailing channels and as a singer and guitarist of a rock band, before becoming in April 2018 a full time volunteer for the foundation.

angelo_attanasio
Angelo Attanasio
Tuition and yoga

At the age of nine I began to study accordion and violin at eleven. In 1981 I entered as an internal student in the “Vincenzo Bellini” music institute of Catania. After graduating In Philosophy, I specialized in music therapy. I’ve been practicing yoga for more than 30 years.

giuliano_cardella
Giuliano Cardella
Tuition, painting and ceramic

I was born in Brescia, but I live in Catania now since almost two years. I graduated in Applied Arts and art is my passion: indeed I’m working full time on abstract art, ceramic and art installations.

maria_adelaide_gangi
Maria Adelaide Gangi

I was born in Catania and I’ve made my studies in the social and artistic field: Childcare community assistant, community counselling in communication processes and helping relationship, master degree in integrated humanities NLP (Neuro-linguistic-programming), decorative painting and theatrical make-up. My passion are painting, singing, yoga and trekking. I collaborated as a volunteer with the G.A.P.A. association in the San Cristoforo area of Catania.

viacheslav_fedorov
Viacheslav Fedorov
Tuition and computer training

I’m 30 years old and I’m a computer engineer. I came to the project from Kaluga, a town in the center of Russia. I came the first time in June 2019 for 2 month and I really enjoyed working here, so I decided to come back in winter 2020. I like to play with the children during the activities and drawing. As a volunteer I’m also working at the website of the foundation. In free time I learn Italian, play drums and guitar, and I study yoga and meditation.

giuseppe_guerrera
Giuseppe Guerrera
Tuition and composition

I’m from Catania and I’m a keen book reader. Last year I published my first novel. Only recently I joined the team of volunteers working with the children and I found this experience very interesting for my personal growth and for the help I give to the kids.

lidia_corso
Lidia Corso
Tuition and music therapy
dario_monterosso
Dario Monterosso

I was born in Catania in 1979 and I’m a freelance professional engineer. I love sailing, nature, to walk around the woods of Sicily searching for mushrooms and to make excursions with four by four jeeps.

marcello_stella
Marcello Stella
Tuition and hygiene

I’m a specialist in plastic surgery. I’ve been working in Italy, Australia, Malta and England. I’m responsible for health prevention and education for the Corporate Advisory Committee of the Provincial Health Department 3 of Catania and for the Health Civic Network. I wrote many scientific publications and I was the rapporteur in many international scientific congresses. I’m professor of the medical faculty in the University of Catania. I’m part of the “Rotary International” club since 1988.
Phone: +39 3337199579

serafina_lentini
Serafina Lentini
Tuition and legal counselling

Serafina has been living in Catania for about thirty years, a time when she enrolled at the Law university. After graduating, she immediately embraced the profession of lawyer and over the years achieved the civil law specialization in the field of family and minors. She is currently separated and mother of a 16 year old son.
She has collaborated in some social initiatives in various areas (parish, associations etc.) and is a member of the Rotary Club, Club Catania Bellini, whose goal is service in every respect.

giuseppe_fagone
Giuseppe Fagone
Tuition and music therapy

I was born in 1974 and I’m a musician, drummer, drum teacher and graduating in music therapy at the “Aramagis” school in Catania. I had my debut as a musician in 1987 in a jazz orchestra e throughout the years I gained a lot of experience playing pop, rock and funk. I also worked for three years as a street entertainer for the non-profit organization “Spes” based in Catania.

clarissa_ambrosino
Clarissa Ambrosino
Tuition and games

I’m 23 and I come from Orvieto, Tuscany. This is my first experience as a volunteer and I’ve been here in this beautiful place since one month only. Until now all my experiences were very positive. It’s always a pleasure to help and give people support!

shown_andrews
Shawn Andrews
English language

I am 30 years old and live in Catania. I was born in the U.K and grew up in the Irish mountains. I’m an English teacher and as a volunteer at the project in Catania it has been my pleasure to give classes to those who wish to learn and to enjoy the company of those who live there.

I like to play piano, guitar and to juggle and to spend my time in the nature especially among trees and mountains.

Do not believe even for a second that the quality of life can be programmed and defined by calculating one’s own interest alone. There is no future of joy and well-being except through one’s own personal contribution to the community. If you don’t believe it, take a sabbatical year and find out for yourself; you will never forget it.

UPCOMING EVENTS
All events and meetings have been cancelled due to Coronavirus restrictions.
Volunteer training course
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Date: 15 Aprile 2020, 18:00

Via Villascabrosa 128A, Catania

Volunteers Planning Work Meeting
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Date: 20 Aprile 2020, 18:00

Via Villascabrosa 128A, Catania

Public Lecture on Selfless Service
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Date: 27 Aprile 2020, 18:00

Via Villascabrosa 128A, Catania

OUR FRIENDS AND SPONSORS

To carry out social utility projects, one needs the largest possible goodwill coalition, made up of visionaries, pragmatists, competent and tireless workers, and last but not least, supporters whose belief in the goodness of the work, and desire to see it materialized, make all of it possible.

amurt
AMURT
leroymerlin
Leroy Merlin
Fondazione Marzari
Fondazione Marzari
Yoga Bhadra
Yoga Bhadra
Associazione Amici Nel Mondo
Associazione Amici Nel Mondo
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