BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Dar Tal-Providenza participants celebrate different abilities

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The athletes taking part in this year’s edition of the BOV Volleyball Marathon in aid of Dar Tal-Providenza today took part in a special session of training, which took the form of a Sitting-Volley tournament.

The friendly tournament was organised at the gymnasium of the Residence with the collaboration of ParaVolleyball Malta.
The volleyball marathon, which now is in the 8th anniversary, will take place on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July 2015 and will last 53 hours. Mr Jesmond Saliba, on behalf of the organising committee thanked all the participants and volunteers who are taking part in this year’s edition. He stressed about the importance of marathon as a fund-raising initiative in aid of the 110 residents at Dar Tal-Providenza. He also referred to the fact that Id-Dar Tal-Providenza is celebrating the 50th anniversary since Mons. Michael Azzopardi started the project which was a significant milestone in giving people with disability dignity.

Mr. Oliver Scicluna, Chairperson of the National Commission for People with Disability thanked the participants and volunteers for their effort in aid of the residents of this monument of solidarity. He also thanked for the sitting volley initiative, which is a celebration of integration of people with different abilities.

Mr. Noel Aquilina, from Breaking Limits stressed the importance that where possible, people with disability should be seen for their abilities and not for their disabilities. He referred to the various initiatives taken by Breaking Limits aimed at integrating people through sport.

Mr. Nello Callejja, who has set up ParaVolley Malta said that the idea behind today’s tournament is that of giving further significance to the efforts which the participants are doing and will be doing in the coming days.
This year’s technical preparation was led by Mr. Silvan Gauci, who explained the level of training undertaken this year and also spoke about the selection process which has now been concluded. He thanked all those who volunteered for this year’s edition and also invited the Maltese and Gozitans to come over to the premises of Dar Tal-Providenza and give their support to the athletes, donate and enjoy the entertainment and feast environment which will be set up on the days of the Marathon.

Philately

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Over long period of time, Dar tal-Providenza has been donated postage stamps (mainly local) and these have remained stored away. The number of stamps donated run into thousands and mainly include mint stamps and first day covers.

I have been entrusted to sort these out with the intention to attempt a fund-raising exercise. So far I can confirm that the lists attached are all available to philatelists at bargain prices.

So while completing your collection, you would be helping Dar tal-Providenza for much needed funds.

For further information you may contact me, Donald Pace Bonello, at Dar tal-Providenza on telephone number 2146 2844 or 2146 4915 on Monday and Thursday between 9:30 am and 12:30 pm. You can also reach me on email dpacebonello@dartalprovidenza.org or on mobile 79537154

First Day Covers
Stamp Catalogue

Forum on Dun Mikiel and the 50 years of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Siġġiewi Local Council together with Id-Dar tal-Providenza organised a Forum with the theme: “Dun Mikiel Azzopardi and the 50 years of Id-Dar tal-Providenza”. This was an evening of sharing of experiences by persons that in one way or another and at one time or another touched the greatness of Dun Mikiel and witnessed the miracles that Divine Providence did and still does at the Home. The evening started off with a short documenary on Dun Mikiel Azzopardi.

Speakers who shared their experiences with a good-sized audience who attended the Forum were Dr Tonio Azzopardi, nephew of Dun Mikiel; Mr Paul Mifsud, collaborator of Dun Mikiel within the Catholic Action as well as in the broadcast media; Mr John Micallef, ex-Administrator of the Home; Mr and Mrs Edna and Antoine Barbara, parents of an intellectually disabled resident of the Home; Miss Angela Agius, a person with a hearing disability that was a resident of the Siġġiewi home but now lives independently in her own home; Sr Gesuina Mangion, from the community of the Sisters of Charity that has served in the Home since 1977; Mgr. Lawrence Gatt, Director of the Home between 1987 and 2008 and Mr Joe M. Camilleri, ex-Chairperson of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (KNPD).

Dr Karol Aquilina, Mayor of the Siġġiewi Local Council, talked about the contribution of Siġġiewi towards the every day life of Id-Dar tal-Providenza obviously because of the proximity but more so because of the number of people from the Siġġiewi community that work at the Home as carers, support workers and other duties. He announced that a monument in honour of Dun Mikiel will be inaugurated in the near future in the street bearing his name.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, presented Dr Aquilina with a gift of appreciation. (Photos: Roberto Runza)

Forum fuq Dun Mikiel Azzopardi u l-50 sena tad-Dar tal-Providenza

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Il-Kunsill Lokali tas-Siġġiewi flimkien mad-Dar tal-Providenza organizzaw Forum bit-tema: “Dun Mikiel Azzopardi u l-50 sena tad-Dar tal-Providenza”. Din kienet serata ta’ tifkiriet w esperjenzi minn persuni li b’xi mod jew ieħor u f’xi ħin jew ieħor missew mal-kobor ta’ Dun Mikiel u raw b’għajnejhom il-mirakli li l-Providenza għamlet u għadha tagħmel mad-Dar tal-Providenza fis-Siġġiewi. Is-serata kienet tinkludi wkoll dokumentarju qasir dwar il-ħajja ta’ Dun Mikiel Azzopardi.

Il-kelliema li qasmu l-esperjenzi tagħhom mal-udjenza sabiħa li attendiet għall-Forum kienu Dr Tonio Azzopardi, neputi ta’ Dun Mikie; is-Sur Paul Mifsud, kollaboratur ta’ Dun Mikiel fl-Azzjoni Kattolika u fuq il-mezzi tax-xandir; is-Sur John Micallef, ex-Amministratur tad-Dar; is-Sinjuri Edna u Antoine Barbara, ġenituri ta’ residenta b’diżabilità ntellettwali; is-Sinjorina Angela Agius, persuna nieqsa mis-smigħ li kienet residenti fis-Siġġiewi w issa qed tgħix ħajja ndipendenti f’darha; Sor Gesuina Mangion, soru tal-Karità li ilha fid-Dar tal-Providenza mill-1977; Mons. Lawrence Gatt, Direttur tad-Dar wara Dun Mikiel bejn l-1987 u l-2008 u s-Sur Joe M. Camilleri, ex-Chairperson tal-Kummissjoni Nazzjonali Persuni b’Diżabilità (KNPD).

Dr Karol Aquilina, Sindku tal-Kunsill Lokali tas-Siġġiewi, tkellem dwar is-sehem tas-Siġġiewi fil-ħajja tad-Dar tal-Providenza kemm minħabba l-lokalità imma aktar w aktar minħabba l-għadd ta’ Siġġiewin li jaħdmu fid-Dar bħala carers, support workers u f’taqsimiet oħra. Huwa ħabbar li aktar ‘l quddiem se jkun inawgurat monument f’gieħ Dun Mikiel fi triq imsemmija għalih fis-Siġġiewi.

Fr Martin Micallef, Direttur tad-Dar tal-Providenza, ippreżenta rigal ta’ apprezzament lil Dr Aquilina. (Ritratti: Roberto Runza)

emCare tappoġġja Id-Dar tal-Providenza b’soluzzjonijiet ta’ serħan il-moħħ u għajnuna

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emCare pprovdiet Id-Dar tal-Providenza b’soluzzjonijiet ta’ serħan il-moħħ u għajnuna għal waħda mid-djar komunitarja tagħha fil-Qawra, Akkwarell. Bħall-bqija tad-diversi soluzzjonijiet tas-saħħa u għajnuna tal-emCare, il-prodotti huma maħsuba biex iserrħu moħħ ir-residenti, jipprevjenu l-aċċidenti, kif ukoll sabiex dawn ikunu jistgħu jgħixu ħajja iktar indipendenti fid-dar.

Akkwarell jgħixu fiha tliet persuni b’diżabbiltajiet fiżiċi li jgħixu fiha bl-appoġġ neċessarju, li issa ġie miżjud biex jinkludi l-emCare Hub u l-buttuni ta’ SOS għar-residenti. Grazzi għal dawn il-prodotti, ir-residenti ta’ Akkwarell issa jistgħu jċemplu għal għajnuna immedjata sempliċiment billi jagħfsu buttuna waħda. Il-prodotti ta’ SOS jistgħu jintlibsu bħala brazzuletta jew bħala pendent, u b’hekk huma faċilment aċċessibbli f’każ ta’ emerġenza.
Christine Borg, waħda mir-residenti ta’ Akkwarell, spjegat kif il-buttuna ta’ SOS reċentement għenet biex issalvalha ħajjitha, meta għafsitha biex iċċempel lill-carer fid-dar komunitarja, qabel ma ntilfet minn sensiha. Ir-residenta ttieħdet l-isptar minnufih fejn ingħatat il-kura medika li kien hemm bżonn.
Filwaqt li kien qed jitkellem dwar l-appoġġ tal-kumpanija lejn Id-Dar tal-Providenza, li qed tiċċelebra l-50 anniversarju tagħha, Roland Cachia, il-Maniġer Ġenerali tal-emCare, qal “Ninsabu kuntenti li qed niċċelebraw l-anniversarju tad-Dar tal-Providenza billi nagħtu l-appoġġ tagħna permezz tas-soluzzjonijiet tagħna ta’ serħan il-moħħ u għajnuna. Id-Dar tal-Providenza qed tagħmel xogħol eċċellenti sabiex tgħin lill-komunità Maltija u aħna naqsmu l-viżjoni tagħha biex ngħinu lin-nies iħossuhom indipendenti u responsabbli ta’ ħajjithom. L-isforzi, id-dedikazzjoni u t-twemmin tagħna huma mmirati lejn it-titjib ta’ ħajjet in-nies billi niżguraw l-indipendenza tagħhom, filwaqt li xorta jħossuhom li mhumiex waħedhom b’mod li jirrispetta d-dinjità tagħhom.”

“Minbarra dan, is-servizzi tagħna huma ta’ benefiċċju mhux biss għan-nies li jeħtieġu iktar għajnuna u serħan il-moħħ, imma għall-individwi kollha peress li aħna kollha b’xi mod jew ieħor aħna vulnerabbli fil-ħajja ta’ kuljum tagħna. emCare mhux biss toffri għajnuna immedjata imma tgħin isserraħ moħħ in-nies billi tħallihom ikunu jafu li qatt mhuma waħedhom,” żied jgħid Roland Cachia.
Fr Martin Micallef, id-Direttur ta’ Id-Dar ta-Providenza rringrazzja lil emCare għall-appoġġ tal-kumpanija fl-amministrazzjoni ta’ Akkwarell u biex tgħin lir-residenti tagħha jgħixu ħajja iktar indipendenti.

Tgħallem iktar dwar l-emCare u l-varjetà ta’ prodotti u servizzi tagħhom billi ċċempel fuq 2142 4949 jew iżżur il-paġna ta’ Facebook ta’ emCare: www.facebook.com/emcare360.

emCare supports Id-Dar tal-Providenza with care solutions

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emCare has provided Id-Dar tal-Providenza with care solutions for one of its community homes in Qawra, Akkwarell. Similar to the rest of emCare’s multifarious health and care solutions, the devices are aimed at putting the residents’ minds at rest, accident prevention, as well as maintaining their independence within the home.

Akkwarell hosts three persons with physical disabilities who live there with the necessary support, which has now been extended to include the emCare Hub and SOS buttons for the residents. Thanks to these devices, the residents of Akkwarell can now call for immediate help by simply pressing one button. The SOS devices can be worn on the wrist or as a pendant, making them easily accessible in case of emergencies.

Christine Borg, one of the residents of Akkwarell, explained how the SOS button recently helped save her life, when she pressed it to call over the carer at the community home, before losing consciousness. The resident was immediately taken to the hospital where she was given the appropriate medical care.

Speaking about the company’s support towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, Roland Cachia, General Manager at emCare, said “We are delighted to be commemorating Id-Dar tal-Providenza’s anniversary by giving our support through our care solutions. Id-Dar tal-Providenza has been doing an excellent job at helping the Maltese community and we share its vision to help people feel in charge of their own lives. Our efforts, dedication and beliefs are focused towards the improvement of people’s lives by ensuring that their independence is safeguarded, while still being able to feel that they are not alone in a way that respects their dignity.”

“Moreover, our services are beneficial not only to people who require additional care, but to all individuals as we are all in some way or another vulnerable in our daily lives. emCare not only offers immediate aid but also helps put individuals’ minds at ease by letting them know that they are never alone,” Roland Cachia added.

Father Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar ta-Providenza thanked emCare for the company’s support in the management of Akkwarell and in helping its residents to lead more independent lives.

Learn more about emCare and their range of products and services by phoning on 2142 4949 or visiting emCare’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/emcare360.

Inawgurata l-Maratona tal-BOV Volleyball 2015 b’riżq id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Il-Maratona tal-BOV Volleyball 2015 ġiet inawgurata uffiċjalment nhar il-Ġimħga filgħodu ġewwa id-Dar tal-Providenza. Fr. Martin Micallef, Direttur tad-dar residenzjali u s-Sinjura Michelle Muscat, Chairperson tal-Fondazzjoni Marigold – BOV fil-Komunità indirizzaw lill-istampa, flimkien ma’ Elvia George – Chief Finance Officer tal-Bank of Valletta, u Emanuel Zammit Chairperson tal-Kumitat Organizzattiv tal-Maratona tal-Volibol.

Il-maratona, li ser tara aktar minn 300 volontier, li 40 minnhom ser ikunu qed jilagħbu l-volibol għal 53 siegħa konsekuttiva, ser tkun inawgurata mill-E.T. il-President Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca nhar il-Ġimgħa 3 ta’ Lulju fis-18.30. Din ser tiġi fi tmiemha f’nofs il-lejl tal-Ħadd. Il-pubbliku huwa mistieden li jżur il-maratona ġewwa d-dar residenzjali filwaqt li jagħti d-donazzjonjiet tiegħu bil-għan li jgħin fit-tmexxija tad-Dar tal-Providenza, li din is-sena ser tkun qed tfakkar il-50 anniversarju tagħha. Din id-dar takkomoda 105 persuna bi bżonnijiet speċjali. Ħamsin sena wara, irnexxielha żżomm mal-viżjoni tal-Fundatur tagħha, u hija mmexxija kompletament permezz tal-providenza.

Fid-diskors tagħha waqt il-konferenza stampa, is-Sinjura Muscat faħħret lid-Dar għax-xogħol imprezzabbli li tagħmel. “Id-Dar tal-Providenza qed taqdi rwol kruċjali fil-komunità, billi tgħin lir-residenti jgħixu ħajja dinjituża f’ambjent ta’ familja li jipprovdi kura u attenzjoni individwali.” Hija spjegat kif il-Fondazzjoni Marigold – BOV fil-Komunità, hija l-kolonna soċjali tal-programm tar-responsabbiltà korporattiva tal-Bank. Il-Fondazzjoni Marigold tgħin lil assoċjazzjonijiet mhux governattivi bil-għan li jilħqu l-potenzjal massimu tagħhom.

Fl-intervent tiegħu, Fr Micallef spjega li, “Il-BOV Volleyball Marathon hija waħda mill-avvenimenti l-aktar importanti għall-ġbir ta’ fondi għad-Dar. Bis-saħħa tal-Fondazzjoni Marigold u l-Bank of Valletta, il-fondi li nġabru is-sena l-oħra ippermettulna nirrinovaw żewġ appartamenti li ser ikomplu jtejbu il-kwalità ta’ ħajja tar-residenti.

“Il-Maratoni tgħaqqad flimkien aktar minn 300 volontier li jiddedikaw il-ħin u l-isforzi tagħhom biex dan l-avveniment ikun suċċess. Il-plejers ilhom jittrenjaw għal diversi ġimgħat, u bħalissa t-taħriġ isir wieħed akatr intensiv, biex b’hekk ikollhom l-istamina neċessarja biex jaffaċjaw 53 siegħa ta’ logħob kontinwu. Ħadd mhu joqgħod lura sabiex din l-attività tkun waħda ta’ suċċess,” qal is-Sur Zammit.

Filwaqt li tkellmet dwar l-involviment tal-Bank, is-Sinjura George esprimiet is-sodisfazzjon tal- Bank of Valletta li qed jipparteċipa f’attività bħal din li toħroġ l-aqwa valuri tal-komunità. “Il-Bank of Valletta jħoss r-responsabbilità li jilgħab rwol ewlieni fis-soċjetà Maltija li jmur aktar lil hinn mill-provvista ta’ servizzi finanzjarji. Hawnhekk ser inkunu qed niċċelebraw il-persuni b’abbiltajiet differenti, hekk kif il-volontiera jingħaqdu flimkien sabiex jagħmlu d-differenza filwaqt li fl-istess ħin jgħinu lir-residenti jħossuhom aċċettati u parti integrali mis-soċjetà tagħna.” Hija awgurat lill-organizzaturi għal din il-Maratona, filwaqt li ħeġġet lill-pubbliku biex ikun ġeneruż u jagħti s-sapport tiegħu lill-volontiera billi jżur id-Dar tal-Providenza bejn it-3 u l-5 ta’ Lulju 2015.

Id-donazzjonijiet jistgħu jsiru billi wieħed iċempel fuq 51602011 għal donazzjoni ta’ €10, 51702012 għal donazzjoni ta’ €15 u 51802013 għal donazzjoni ta’ €25, jew permezz tal-BOV Mobile Pay fuq 79324834.

The BOV Volleyball Marathon 2015 in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza launched

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The BOV Volleyball Marathon 2015 was officially launched on Friday morning at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Fr. Martin Micallef, Director of the residential home and Mrs Michelle Muscat Chairperson of ‘The Marigold Foundation – BOV in the community’ addressed the media, accompanied by Elvia George – Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Valletta, and Emanuel Zammit Chairperson of the Volleyball Marathon Organising Committee.

The marathon, which will see over 300 volunteers amongst whom 40 will play volleyball for 53 consecutive hours, will be inaugurated by H.E The President Marie-Louise Coleiro-Preca on Friday 3rd July at 18.30 hours. It will come to an end at 12.00 midnight the following Sunday. The public is invited to visit the marathon at the residential home itself and make donations towards its running. Id-Dar tal-Providenza, which this year commemorates its 50th anniversary, is home to 105 persons with special needs Fifty years later, it has managed to live up to its Founder’s vision, and is funded completely through providence.

Speaking during the press conference, Mrs Muscat praised the Home for its valuable work. “Id-Dar tal-Providenza plays a crucial role in our community, enabling its residents to live a life with dignity in a family-like environment that provides care and individual attention.” She explained how The Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community, is the social pillar of the Bank’s CSR programme. The Marigold Foundation– BOV in the Community assists non-governmental associations in a bid to help them reach their full potential.

In his intervention, Fr Micallef explained that, “The BOV Volleyball Marathon is one the Home’s major fund-raising events. Thanks to Marigold Foundation and Bank of Valletta, the funds which were collected last year have enabled us to renovate two apartments which will continue to improve the quality of life of the residents.

“The Marathon brings together over 300 volunteers who dedicate their time and efforts to make this event a success. The players have already been training for several weeks, and now the training regime will become even more intensive, so they will have the necessary stamina to face 53 hours of continuous play. No effort is being spared to make this event a success,” said Mr Zammit.

Speaking about the Bank’s involvement, Mrs George expressed Bank of Valletta’s satisfaction at participating in such an event that brings the best of the community to the fore. “Bank of Valletta feels responsible to play a key role in the Maltese community that goes beyond the provision of financial services. Here we shall be celebrating people with different abilities, as volunteers come together to make a difference while at the same time helping the residents feel valued, cared for and an integral part of our society.” She augured the organisers well for the Marathon, and urged the public to be generous and support the volunteers by visiting Id-Dar tal-Providenza between the 3rd and 5th July 2015.

Contributions can be made by calling 51602011 for a €10 donation, 51702012 for a €15 donation and 51802013 for a €25 donation, or through BOV Mobile Pay on 79324834.

Northwest Girlchoir to perform at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy on June 25th in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Northwest Girlchoir will be performing at the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Naxxar on Thursday, 25th June at 7.30pm. Entrance is free but donations are solicited for Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The Northwest Girlchoir, now in its 42nd year, is an independent community organisation for music education for girls and young women. Northwest Girlchoir serves 250 singers, ages 6-18, mainly from the Seattle and Washington regions. ‘Amore’, one of six choir levels at Northwest Girlchoir, that is visiting Malta is comprised of young women ages 15-18. ‘Amore’ has performed with outstanding Seattle arts organizations and was a featured performer at the 2013 Chorus America National Conference.

Since 2001, Northwest Girlchoir has toured France, England, Finland, Estonia, Australia, Croatia, Slovenia, Italy and Sicily.

The visit to Malta by the Northwest Girlchoir has been made possible by Alpine Sterling.

In-Northwest Girlchoir b’kunċert fis-Santwarju tal-Ħniena Divina b’risq id-Dar tal-Providenza

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In-Northwest Girlchoir mill-Istati Uniti (ritratt mehmuż) se jagħti kunċert fis-Santwarju tal-Ħniena Divina fin-Naxxar nhar il-Hamis, 25 ta’ Ġunju fis-7.30pm. Id-dħul huwa b’xejn imma jintlaqgħu donazzjonijiet b’risq id-Dar tal-Providenza.

In-Northwest Girlchoir, li ilu mwaqqaf għal dawn l-aħħar 42 sena, huwa organizzazzjoni ndipendenti għat-tagħlim tal-mużika għal tfal bniet u adolexxenti nisa. B’kollox għandu 250 membru bejn is-sitta u tmintax-il sena mill-inħawi ta’ Seattle u Washington fl-Istati Uniti. ‘Amore’, il-kor li se jkun Malta dan ix-xahar, huwa wieħed minn sitt korijiet ta’ livelli differenti magħmul minn tfajliet ta’ bejn il-ħmistax u t-tmintax-il sena.

Mis-sena 2001 ‘l hawn, in-Northwest Girlchoir żar Franza, l-Ingilterra, il-Finlandja, l-Estonja, l-Awstralja, il-Kroazja, Slovenja, l-Italja u Sqallija.

Iż-żjara tan-Northwest Girlchoir f’Malta saret possibli bl-għajnuna ta’ Alpine Sterling.