The Schwabes became very rich from this cotton print factory but they also supplied the funds to establish a school and a library for their employees.

Schwabe had just sent relief supplies to Garibaldi in 1860 and the following year she formed the Italian Ladies' Philanthropic Association.

Schwabe personally organised the education as she set up an elementary school in Naples which ran for five years until the head teacher, Emily Reeve, died of cholera.

[4] In 1873 Schwabe decided to start another educational institution in Naples and she leased the Collegio Medico for that purpose.

Fröbel, and Schwabe, wanted children to learn the basics of education, as well as skills that they could use to establish livelihoods.

[9] Schwabe's schools in Naples were gaining small contributions from the Italian and Neapolitan politicians as well as coverage in the British press by 1876.

She persuaded Claude Montefiore and Sir William Mather to assist and Leopold and Maria de Rothschild gave their support.

George William Kekewich, Secretary of the government education department, gave his support with Montefiore as treasurer and Mather as chair.