Franco Vaccarino, Part 2, Early life and move to New Zealand - Manawatu Conversations

Description

Broadcast on Manawatu People's Radio, 25th November 2025. Part 2 of 2. Franco Vaccarino grew up in South Africa in an Italian family that spoke no English.
 He began working in a corporate bank where he set up literacy classes for staff.
 Later he helped run family literacy projects and education in AIDS orphanages.
 He managed literacy programmes in South African prisons, teaching hundreds of inmates.
 He also worked in Mozambique designing adult education curricula.
 In 2003 he and his family migrated to Palmerston North, New Zealand.
 He joined Massey University in communication and adult literacy research.
 Feeling a spiritual calling, he became the founding City Missioner in Palmerston North.
 His mission focuses on supporting, empowering, and advocating for change.
 He promotes cooking classes, community food projects, and cultural connections.
 Vaccarino identifies as an “Italian Kiwi,” calling New Zealand his true home.
 His children have adapted well—his daughter works abroad, his son remains local.

Identification

Object type

Audio

Date

November 25, 2025