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Id-Dar tal-Providenza bids a sad farewell to Mr John Micallef, ex-administrator of the Home who passed away on Wednesday, 3rd May 2023. His funeral took place on May 5th at the Our Lady of Mt. Carmel church in Mdina.

Mr John Micallef, son of Carmelo and Imelda née Caruana was born in Qormi on the 11th of January 1943. He was the eldest of nine siblings. At the age of 11, he moved to Gżira with his family.

At the end of his studies, John used his training to help others in need. He went abroad and amongst others he was Director of the Family Centre within the Department of Social Assistance in London and later in Ontario, Canada. His work was mainly with families in distress.

When he came back to Malta, he gave a helping hand to Mgr. Mikiel Azzopardi and in 1980 he started working at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. In 1984, he was appointed as the third administrator of the Home, a position he held for a whole 20 years until he retired in 2004. He continued helping the Home even after his retirement.

He was also the President of the Third Carmelite Order (Lunzjata Branch), President and founder of the Circolo Cultural Hispanico Maltes, member of the Migrants and Refugees Commission as well as a member of the Malta Philatelic Society.

John was married to Victoria née Moreno and had three children, John Charles, Imelda and Paquita.

Our sincere condolences go to his family. Lord grant him eternal rest. Amen.

The Egyptian Ambassador to Malta, H.E. Khaled Ansi, paid an official visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi. He was welcomed by the Director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef, and met the residents and also had the opportunity to see for himself some of the services the Home offers including the therapeutic pool and the St. Isidore Agriculture Centre.

In an address of welcome Fr Martin thanked the Egyptian Ambassador for his visit.  On his part, His Excellency praised the work done by the Home with persons with disability.

The Leader of the Opposition and the Nationalist Party Dott. Bernard Grech  paid a visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi. He was welcomed by the Director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef, management and residents and had the opportunity to see for himself some of the services the Home offers including the therapeutic pool and the St. Isidore Agriculture Centre. Two residents offered gifts to Dott. Grech including some products that are produced at the Agriculture Centre.

In an address of welcome Fr Martin thanked Dott. Grech for his visit and explained the work done at Id-Dar tal-Providenza. He praised the fact that different governments contributed to the betterment of this sector and augured that the Nationalist Party will continue to work in favour of the rights of persons with disablity.

On his part, Dott. Grech said that the Nationalist Party appreciates the commitment of every government in all that has to do with residential services and in favour of the rights of persons with disability but believes that there is always more that can be done in this sector. The Nationalist Party believes in the financing of these homes and in the principle that they should be in the heart of the community as much as possible. He also thanked the residents for the welcome they gave him and also thanked all the employees for their commitment.

“Once again the people of Malta and Gozo have shown their generosity towards Dar tal-Providenza by donating €1,445,665 during Festa ta’ Ġenerożità. The funds raised will help the Home to continue providing the best residential services to 115 persons with disability that live in homes. Apart from this, the Home will be improving the environment in which the residents of Villa Papa Giovanni in Siġġiewi where extensive renovation works will be done.”   This was said by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, at the end of a twelve-hour televised marathon. He continued by auguring that the solidarity shown towards Dar tal-Providenza on the first day of the new year will continue throughout the year with all those in our Maltese society who need support.

After a pause of two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Festa ta’ Ġenerożità is being broadcastfrom under the big tent purposely set up in the Home’s parking lot in Siġġiewi, The telethon started off with a mass celebrated by H.G. The Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna in the Home’s chapel and will go on till midnight tonight. At the beginning of the celebration, which was attended by the President of Malta, Dott. George Vella and Mrs Vella, there was the traditional Christmas homily by two children, a boy and a girl.

In his homily, the Archbishop said that at the beginning of the new year we pray to the Lord to bless us, guard us and give us peace. Peace that cannot be purchased online or from the store. We should appreciate all that is good in our families, our NGOs and our people as a nation. We should cherish life from its inception as it is because you don’t have to be perfect to have a right to live and be precious.

On again was the art auction – paintings, sculptures and ceramics – donated by various Maltese and foreign artists. This time everything, including the bidding, was online and the sale of the works of art raised more than €29,000.

As has happened every year an appreciable number of parishes in Malta and Gozo organised special collections on new year’s eve and new year’s day that were then presented to Dar tal-Providenza on behalf of the parish communities.

Guests under the tent were the President of Malta, Dott. George Vella and Mrs Vella, H.G.the Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, Auxiliary Bishop Mgr Joseph Galea-Curmi, the President Emeritus, Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, the leader of the Opposition, Dr Bernard Grech and Mrs Grech amongst others. The Minister for National Heritage, Arts and Local Government, Dr Owen Bonnici, who represented the Prime Minister Dott. Robert Abela, donated €25,000 from the Good Causes Fund.

Also present were Ministers and Members of Parliament from both sides of the House, delegations representing the main political parties, various personalities and representatives of constituted bodies who also took time to answer the phones.

The European Parliament Member, Josianne Cutajar, paid a visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi where she met various residents, employees and volunteers. She also visited the therapeutic pool, the St. Isidore Agriculture Centre, the chapel and the museum dedicated to the Home’s founder, Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, welcomed the Hon. Cutajar and thanked her for the visit and the support she always gives to the Home. On her part, Ms Cutajar greeted and thanked the residents for the nice welcome she was given and also to the employees for their work and dedication. She said that a lot more needed to be done in the disability sector. In fact, the last Plenary Session of the European Parliament held last week, there was a resolution about equal rights for persons with disability. She continued saying: “In the European Parliament there is a lot of work done in the various committees in favour of persons with disability. In the transport sector, for example,  there is work being done for accessible transport. We also work to ensure that technology helps people with disability.” At the end of her address, she wished everyone a happy Christmas and  new year.