GENOVA PIAZZA CAVOUR

Integration runs through the alleys

To understand integration, one must travel to Genoa and witness the chiaroscuro of the narrow streets of the Caruggi district, where one of the twenty multicultural Post Offices is located. A scale model of the world and its infinite undertones: Maghreb, Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa and Far East Asia. Here, hospitality is not an empty promise: it is pre-filled forms, bills and shipping parcels across the world.

Abderrezak El Aidi, 32, is one of the friendly faces at Genoa’s Post Office in Piazza Cavour, the first one that was conceived for immigrants and their necessities, such as paying rent, permanent residency permits and affordable mobile phone services.

Abder, as he is colloquially referred to by his regular Arabic-speaking customers, celebrates his first year with Poste Italiane. “At first, people have difficulty expressing themselves and finding a way through the bureaucratic culture. We offer linguistic assistance as well as practical advice and useful contacts for queries about permanent residency, how to change the mobile pin or contact the Free phone number.”

The branch was inaugurated in March as a simple customer service for foreigners and, in a few months, it became a stronghold in the area. “Once the linguistic and cultural barriers are lifted, people are more trusting and sometimes ask us advice on matters that fall outside of our purview,” says manager Chiara Muntoni. There are also Afghan and Central African political refugees who have escaped war and poverty, and an Ecuadorian family who sends parcels back home, as confirms Viviana, an Ecuadorian Postal worker who has been living in Genoa for 15 years: “For those who just arrived in Italy, it is a wonderful thing that they can be understood here. It almost feels like home for them.”

Sending and receiving money is easy

Poste Italiane offers the possibility to feel closer to one’s country or family.

MoneyGram service allows you to send and receive money in a few minutes to over 200 countries in the world. For some countries, the ‘Ore 7’ option is available: the money sent today is available for pick up as early as 7 am (local time) the next day.

The maximum transfer amount is €999.99 per transaction and the amount to be transferred and the relative fee can be paid in cash or by cards issued by Poste Italiane.

Eurogiro allows you to send and receive money within 3 or 4 days to and from abroad, and being an account holder is not necessary. Money transferred abroad can be collected in cash or transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account depending on the country of destination.

Vaglia internazionale allows you to send and receive money within 7 or 8 days to and from abroad, the international postal money order from abroad is payable at the indicated Post Office but may be deposited at another branch.