Educateurs sans Frontières, Italy, 1998

When paying tribute to the memory and legacy of Renilde Montessori, the youngest grandchild of Maria Montessori who died recently, the most fitting way to honour her is to celebrate her vision of Educateurs sans Frontières. This most inspired of Renilde’s initiatives gave new meaning to Montessori’s vision bringing us back to the ideals of San Lorenzo. Renilde stressed the importance of placing that inheritance in a contemporary context. She saw the Educateurs as educators without boundaries, ‘able and willing to go where their presence is required. Never to intrude, not to indoctrinate, but to help and encourage others to learn, to rediscover the wise and ancient plan for wholesome growth with which all humans are endowed.’