Rodolfo Olgiati facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rodolfo Olgiati
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| Born | 30 June 1905 Lugano
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| Died | 31 May 1986 Bern
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| Nationality | Swiss |
| Education | ETH Zürich |
| Occupation | Teacher, pedagogue, humanitarian worker and peace activist |
| Organization | Service Civil International |
| Movement | Swiss Committee for Aid to Children of Spain |
| Spouse(s) | Irma Schneider |
Rodolfo Olgiati (born in Lugano on June 30, 1905, and passed away in Bern on May 31, 1986) was a special person from Switzerland. He was a teacher, but he was also a humanitarian and an activist for peace. This means he worked hard to help people in need and to promote peace in the world.
Rodolfo Olgiati's Life
Rodolfo Olgiati was born to Emilio Olgiati and Fanny Pozzy. He went to school in Chur and Bern. After finishing high school, he studied math and physics at ETH Zurich. He became a teacher.
From 1929 to 1932, he taught at a school called Odenwaldschule in Heppenheim. This school was started in 1910 by Paul Geheeb. It followed a new way of teaching called progressive education. His time at this school really shaped his ideas and how he acted later in life.
In 1933, he worked with children who had learning difficulties in England. From 1934 to 1935, he helped with youth education for Fritz Wartenweiler. Fritz was a Swiss teacher and a pacifist, meaning he believed in peace and was against war.
In 1935, Olgiati became the secretary of a peace organization. It was called Service Civil International (SCI). This group was started in 1920 by Pierre Cérésole.
Helping Children in Spain
During the Spanish Civil War, Rodolfo Olgiati was very busy. He was the secretary for the Swiss Committee for Aid to Children of Spain. This group was also known as Swiss Aid. It was a team of many non-government organizations, led by SCI.
Starting in 1937, they began a humanitarian mission. Their goal was to help children, especially in the areas controlled by the Republicans. The mission did several important things:
- They moved children from dangerous war zones to safer places.
- They gave out food and other basic items. These came from donations from Switzerland. They went to children's homes, hospitals, and shelters.
- They ran milk canteens for people who were weak or had to leave their homes.
Volunteers worked mainly in cities like Madrid, Burjassot (near Valencia), and Barcelona.
While in Spain, Olgiati met Irma Schneider. She was also an SCI volunteer. Irma used to be a teacher at a Swiss school in Barcelona. She managed a canteen in Madrid that provided food for pregnant women and new mothers. Later, Irma became Rodolfo's wife. Olgiati and Schneider also met another SCI volunteer in Barcelona, Ruth von Wild.
After the war ended in early 1939, Swiss Aid kept helping refugees. They worked in the south of France. They set up new places to help people. For example, they created a Swiss home for Spanish refugee children. It was called Château lleva Lac in Sigean. They also helped with the Elna's maternity home. This home was run by Ruth von Wild and Elisabeth Eidenbenz.
When World War II started, this humanitarian work grew. It spread to other countries affected by the war. So, the "Swiss Aid Committee for the Children of Spain" changed its name. It became the "Swiss Cartel for Relief to Children Victims of War." Olgiati stayed as the secretary. From 1940 to 1941, he helped organize aid work in southern France and Switzerland. He also managed the volunteers and talked with government officials in Bern.
In 1944, Olgiati wrote down his thoughts and memories about his experiences during the Spanish Civil War.
Red Cross and Helvetas
In January 1942, the "Swiss Cartel for Relief to Children Victims of War" joined the Swiss Red Cross. Olgiati brought his valuable experience with him. However, he left at the end of 1943.
From late 1944 to 1948, Olgiati led the operations for Schweizer Spende. This organization helped rebuild after the war. In 1948, it became Swiss Aid in Europe (now called Swiss Aid). Olgiati specifically helped displaced people in Germany. He worked with Marianne Flügge-Oeri, who had also been part of Swiss Aid.
From 1949 to 1970, Olgiati was a member of the International Red Cross in Geneva. He moved there for this work. From 1949 to 1958, he also worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Olgiati was one of the main people who started Helvetas in 1955. This is a Swiss organization that helps with development. Its goal was to shift from helping rebuild Europe to working for peace outside of Europe. Olgiati founded the group with Regina Kägi-Fuchsmann. It was first called Swiss aid in extra-European regions. In 1965, it was renamed Helvetas.
In 1958, he became the director of the Evangelical Home of Eastern Switzerland. This home was located in Wartensee.
Throughout his life, Olgiati also worked to create an alternative civilian service in Switzerland. This would allow people to do non-military service instead of military service.
In 1958, the University of Basel gave him an honorary doctorate. This is a special award for his important work.
After he retired in 1970, he became an honorary member of the ICRC.
See also
In Spanish: Rodolfo Olgiati para niños
