Our Story

More than 400 years ago, precisely in 1617, the destiny and life of a young Spanish Priest, Joseph Calasanz, the founder of the Order of the Pious schools, took a more decisive direction and meaning, when he met a group of stranded youths who had no access to education, in the poor neighborhood of Trastevere in Rome, From that moment, he dedicated his life to educating all children and youth, especially the poor and those living in precarious conditions. He would never give it up for anything else in the world. He was convinced that “the reform and transformation of society depend on the diligent practice of the education ministry”. 

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Itaka-Escolapios was created and maintained by the Order and the Fraternity of the Pious Schools to give entity and continuity to the mission of St Joseph Calasanz. In 1991, in addition to being recognized as a public utility, it was also recognized as a development NGO and became eligible for international aid cooperation. 

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Itaka - Cameroon is an extension of Itaka – Escolapios approved in Cameroon in 2009 by Ministerial Order No. 000007/A/MINADT/DAP/SDLP/SAC from the minister of territorial administration and decentralization, authorizing a foreign association. After more than a decade of activities, the first general assembly of the ITAKA Foundation for the year 2022-2023 (held on August 9th, 2023) and recommended significant changes within the association in order to broaden its area of influence and respond more efficiently to the essential needs of underprivileged individuals. 

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