Launch of 10th edition of BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The 10th edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza was officially launched earlier today. The 53-hour long marathon will kick off on Friday 29th June at 18.30 hours in the car-park of the residential home and come to an end at 23.30 hours on Sunday 1st July.

The press conference was addressed by Mrs Michelle Muscat, Chairperson of the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community and Fr Martin Micallef, Director at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. They were accompanied by Ms Elvia George, Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Valletta and Mr Emanuel Zammit, Chairperson of the Marathon’s Organising Committee.

Fr Martin said, “The Marathon is an annual fund-raising event for Id-Dar tal-Providenza that really puts altruism to the fore. This marathon sees sportsmanship and volunteerism working hand-in-hand with the sole aim of raising funds to ensure that this Home continues to offer a family-like environment for its residents, who now number 115. He went on to explain that, “The Home’s mission has always been that of integrating its residents as much as possible within the social fibre of the Maltese society, an aim which is being reached primarily through the setting up of homes in different localities. Here the residents are able to lead a more independent life with all the support they need.” Fr Martin expressed his gratitude towards the public who has always risen to the occasion and given its support to this ‘labour of love’, as recently as during the Xarabank programme of Friday 8th June, where the sum of EUR335,293 was raised.

Fr Martin explained that the running costs of the Home run up to EUR12,000 daily. In addition to the support workers, the Home employs various specialists to support the residents, including occupational therapists and physiotherapists.

Corroborating on Fr Martin’s intervention, Mrs Muscat explained that the Home is unique in terms of the ‘family atmosphere’ that it provides to the persons with disability residing there. “Over the years, since the Marigold Foundation has been collaborating with the Dar tal-Providenza, whenever we visit, it always feels that we are coming home, and the bond between the support workers, the volunteers and the residents themselves is truly genuine.” Mrs Muscat urged the people to continue supporting Id-Dar tal-Providenza so it continues to provide a caring environment to its residents, and helps them achieve their full potential.”

Ms Elvia George said that it is a great satisfaction for Bank of Valletta to retain its support towards this event through the Marigold Foundation. “We are confident that this year’s edition will be another success story that will continue to testify our generosity as a nation.
At Bank of Valletta we are pleased to give our support to help this Home, whose name is synonymous with the loving and caring environment it provides to its residents, to continue playing its vital role in our society.”

Zooming in on the role of the volleyball players, Mr Zammit explained that over 80 players have volunteered to participate this year. They have already undergone gruelling training, with the final players to participate in the marathon being announced after the 24-hour trial earmarked for the coming weekend. “As always this marathon is possible only because of the unfailing generosity of our 200-strong army of volunteers who take care of everything from the entertainment to the food stalls and the children’s area. Mr Zammit said that the marathon itself will be broadcasted live over the main TV stations but urged the public to visit the Home and support the players who will be playing volleyball round the clock for 53 hours straight.

The BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon will be inaugurated by H.E. Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca on Friday 29th June at 18.00 hours.

Contributions can be made by calling 51702012 for a €15 donation, 51802013 for a €25 donation and 51902070 for a €50 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may also make their donation to the following number 79324834.

Xarabank raises €335,293 for Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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On Friday 8 June 2018, the sum €335,293 was collected during the popular TVM programme Xarabank in aid Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The money will be added to the sum being which will be collected during the eight edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon, which will he between the 29 June and 1 July 2018 at Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The Central Bank of Malta donates concert proceeds to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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All proceeds from a concert marking the 50th anniversary of the Central Bank of Malta held recently at Teatru Manoel were donated to Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Guests were invited to make a suggested voluntary donation in aid of the Home during the concert.

The concert, held under the auspices of the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, included a repertoire of musical pieces from Hildegard von Bingen to the young Maltese contemporary composer Karl Fiorini.

Final farewell to Anna Stellini

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We gave the final farewell to Anna Stellini, a worker at Id-Dar tal-Providenza for the last 11 years. She was a family woman, hardworking, dedicated and full of love towards the residents of the Home. Despite the ruthless illness she went through during the last three years, Anna always remained a positive woman with a smile that instilled courage. Her smile and her memory will remain in our hearts.

Thank you Anna from the residents, the Sisters and all the workers and volunteers.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza thanks its volunteers

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza organised its annual activity during which it shows its appreciation towards the great amount of volunteers
who give their dedication and their time either with the residents themselves or within the Home wherever help is needed. This year, the event started with a mass celebrated by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, at the Seminary School’s chapel at Tal-Virtù in Rabat, for the intentions and needs of the volunteers and especially for the repose of Donald Pace Bonello, a volunteer who died recently.

Fr Martin thanked the volunteers who give their time with so much love and dedication to the residents or in other areas of the Home such as the kitchen, laundry, the gardens, seamstresses, administration and the Valletta office. Fr Martin also thanked the Rector and the Administration of the Seminary for allowing us to make use of the chapel and canteen for the occasion.

Music Room for the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza now have a specialised Music Room where they can have music sessions on an individual basis as well as in groups. Sessions that are of great benefit to them.

The Music Room could only materialise with the financial assistance of Rotary Club la Valette, Rotary Club Malta and Rotary International District 2110 that sponsored the Project as well as with the Alf. Mizzi Foundation that sponsored the lift that provides access to the room.

Speakers were Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, who found time in his welcome address to thank all those without whom this project would not have been possible; Mrs Margaret Vella, Senior Physiotherapist of the Home, that spoke about the need of the Music Room; Architect, Prof Vincent Buhagiar, coordinator of the Project, who gave a technical overview of what went into its development and Mr Albert Petrococchino, from the Alf. Mizzi Foundation that kindly sponsored the lift to the room. Mrs Jane Mizzi, Trustee of the Foundation, presented the sponsorship cheque to Fr Martin.

On behalf of Rotary, the speakers were Mr Bryan Sullivan of Rotary Club La Valette and Mr John de Giorgio, Governor of Rotary International for Malta and Sicily. They dwelt on the commitment of Rotarians to help sections of the community they form part of.

In his closing address, Mgr. Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia, focused on a twitter from Pope Francis that every person, including persons with disability, is unique and unrepeatable. He said it is a Grace from God that in order for projects like the Music Room to materialise, that improve the quality of life of residents, there is a structure of employees and volunteers to see that the work is done and the services given.

The Music Room was inaugurated by Mr John de Giorgio and blessed by Mgr Cordina.

A group of residents had the opportunity to show off their abilities with the help of their Ability Promoters by singing three songs.

ID-DAR TAL-PROVIDENZA AND THE MALTA CATHOLIC ACTION COMMEMORATE DUN MIKIEL AZZOPARDI

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Dun Mikiel Azzopardi showed his full commitment with love towards the emarginated, the voiceless and those hidden away and forgotten. He recognised the weaker the human being is, the more support and help he or she needs. This was the main theme of the homily by Mgr Joe Galea Curmi, Vicar General, during a Eucharistic Celebration to commemorate the thirty-first anniversary of the death of Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi, who founded id-Dar tal-Providenza in 1965.

Mgr Galea Curmi continued to say that Dun Mikiel wanted Maltese society to recognise the dignity of every person and hence all persons with disability. “Dun Mikiel’s message,” the Vicar General pointed out, “is very factual even today when he reminds us that we need to cherish human life. In front of human life, we do not count the cells to see whether it deserves dignity, we cannot discriminate between who deserves to live and who we can discard. Human life should be treasured from its first moment of conception to its natural end, the whole way through. It deserves our full respect.”

The Mass, that was celebrated in the Home’s chapel, was attended by various members of the Malta Catholic Action (MCA), and residents and friends of the Home. Dun Mikiel was born in Valletta on 10th February 1910 and passed away on the 13th of May 1987. Co-celebrants with the Vicar General were Fr Rueben Gauci, Ecclesiastical Assistant of ZAK (Catholic Action Youths) and Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

At the end of the celebration short speeches were made by Fr Martin who thanked the Malta Catholic Action for the support it always gave and is still giving to Dar tal-Providenza. Mr Josef Deguara, MCA President, referred to the Vicar General’s homily and repeated that we need to cherish human life.

Those present then congregated with Mgr Galea Curmi, Fr Reuben and Fr Martin near the grave were Dun Mikiel is buried for a moment of meditation and prayer.

President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca delivers opening address at the “Every Life Matters” Conference

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“The inclusion of persons with disabilities, at all levels of society, is part and parcel of our commitment to uphold our democratic values, and safeguard universal human rights.” This was one of the messages relayed by the President of Malta, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca when she delivered the opening address at the “Every Life Matters” Conference at the Grand Hotel Excelsior. The aim of the conference was to raise awareness on inclusion and the threats faced by persons with disabilities, whose lives are at risk of annihilation in the womb.

The President said that it is essential for us to always promote, prioritise, and protect the intrinsic dignity of the human person. This is especially necessary at a time when our country is undergoing historical changes, in the spheres of legislation and policy, which deal with sensitive areas of reproductive care. She said that she believes that it is necessary for all of our professionals, civil society activists, national authorities, and also members of affected communities, to participate in respectful dialogue, around these issues of such ethical importance.
She made a reference to the individuals and families who have first hand experiences of living with disabilites and who had the opportunity to share their narratives during the conference and said: “You are the experts on your own lives, and it is our responsibility to listen to your needs and aspirations.”
In his welcome speech, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, said that in these last fifty years, thanks to pioneers in the sector of persons with disability, persons with disability have made huge strides where rights, social inclusion and services are concerned, and for this we have every reason to be proud although there is still a lot more to be done. This is all a result of increased awareness of the dignity that persons with disability should enjoy as equal citizens.
Fr Martin said that this conference, entitled “Every Life Matters” has the aim to challenge us to work together as a society to desist from looking at the difference not as a threat but as something that enriches us. “We need to stop looking at how much a human being can produce and how capable he or she is to climb the ladders of success. We need to look at every person as unique, unrepeatable and precious – rich in humanity and spiritualilty; we need to look at each person not in the light of how much he has value but as someone who enjoys immeasurable dignity. A true society is gauged only by the respect with which it looks at every person.”
“We who believe that Every Life Matters are aggrieved when we meet expectant parents who, perhaps, might face some risks because of age or other reasons, that relate to us their experiences of advice they are given by gynaecologists, professionals or others to undergo the necessary tests so that if anything comes up in the results, ‘they use their head’.”
He concluded by saying: “We who believe that Every Life Matters wish to continue living in a society that enjoys legislation that always guarantees the right to life in all its stages without choosing who has to live or die.”
There were two keynote speeches. The first one by Prof Carmen Martinez Cue of the One of Us Federation who focused on the ‘New Advances and Research in the treatment of people with Down Syndrome’. Prof Martinez Cue is Associate Professor of Pharmacology in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Cantabria. It was followed by an intervention by Dr Domenico Coviello on ‘Embryo selection and prenatal testing, medical and ethical aspects’. Dr Coviello is currently Director of the Laboratory of Human Genetics at Galliera Hospital in Genoa where he has been since March 2010.

There were three testimonies by Joeanne Xerri and Vanessa Portanier, two mothers raising a child with disability followed by Amy Camilleri Zahra who lives with a disability.
The closing address was made by Mgr Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia of the Archdiocese of Malta.
The “Every Life Matters” conference was organised by the Life Network Foundation Malta and Id-Dar tal-Providenza in collaboration with the One of Us Federation and LeJeune Foundation.

Bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

at the grounds of the Home in Siġġiewi

on Sunday April 22nd

between 9.00am and 4.00pm

A lot of household items with reduced prices

SEE YOU THEN

Holy Week at Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Holy Week liturgical celebrations were held at Id-Dar tal-Providenza for the residents, workers and the general public.

The celebrations started with two masses in the Home’s chapel on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows followed by the blessing of a Holy Week representation in St Paul Hall. They continued with the solemn remembrance of Palm Sunday, a mass on Maundy Thursday that included the washing of the feet, the solemn celebration of the Passion of Christ on Good Friday and finally on Easter Sunday joyfully celebrating the Risen Christ.

For workers there were two sets of Spiritual Exercises. One in Maltese by Fr Karm Mercieca and another one in English by Fr Conrad Grech, Jesuit.

The peace of the Risen Christ be with you all.