More olive trees planted in Id-Dar tal-Providenza garden

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To celebrate DHL’s 50th anniversary, DHL planted fifty olive trees on the grounds of Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi. The initiative which was organized in conjunction with Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA) is in fulfilment of the logistic company’s international commitment to plant trees.

The event saw the participation of DHL Malta staff and volunteers from Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar and Id-Dar tal-Providenza pitching in together to plant the trees. All the olive trees planted are from local stock and were acquired from nature reserves run by local NGOs, Gaia Foundation and Birdlife Malta.

DHL Malta’s initiative also has a social dimension as olives produced by the trees being planted will be picked by residents at the St Isidor Agricultural Centre at Id-Dar tal-Providenza during the annual olive harvest. The olives are then sent for pressing and prepared for bottling to be sold by the Centre in Siġġiewi and at the Home’s office in St Paul Street, Valletta.

Pope Francis meets a Maltese group of persons with intellectual disability

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During the General Audience on Wednesday morning, Pope Francis met up with a group of persons with intellectual disability, members of the “Grupp Flimkien Naslu” from Malta.

The Grupp Flimkien Naslu, that was set up in 2004, is a group that is led by persons with intellectual disability with the necessary support, and organises social activities for its members and their friends.

Lourdes Farrugia, President of the Group, said that the meeting with the Pope was a beautiful experience. Malcolm Camilleri, who like the rest of the group was very emotional, said that he enjoyed seeing the Pope and would like to see him again. John Paul Fenech said that his meeting with the Pope, that was his first one ever, was very emotional for him.

Lions Clubs present their annual donation to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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On Sunday 13th October 2019, Presidents of Lions Club Malta (Host), Lions Club (Mdina), Lions Club (Sliema) and Lions Club (St Paul’s Bay) presented their annual donation to Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza on the occasion of World Lions Day.
Lions Club members attended mass for the repose of deceased members at the Home’s chapel in Siġġiewi.

Marian Pilgrimage at Ta’ Pinu by residents, workers and volunteers of the Home

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On Saturday, 12th October 2019, an appreciable number of residents, workers and volunteers of Id-Dar tal-Providenza went on a Marian pilgrimage to the Ta’ Pinu Sanctuary in Gozo on the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the miraculous painting of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu in 1619 that was paid for by Pinu Gauci, hence the title Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu.

All those that attended took part in a mass celebrated by Fr Martin Micallef in the same sanctuary. The homily was delivered by Fr Gerald Buhagiar, Rector of the Sanctuary. Then off to Xlendi for lunch together.

It was on the 22nd of June 1883, that the spinster Karmni Grima heard the voice of Our Lady calling her through the painting and told her: “Come, come forward….,” and when she entered the chapel she heard a voice saying: “Recite three Hail Marys in honour of the three days that I stayed within the tomb.” But the story of Ta’ Pinu doesn’t end there. To a certain Franġisk Portelli, a single man from Għarb, a friend and neighbour to Karmni and a devotee of Our Lady of Ta’ Pinu, who often prayed in silence in the chapel, the Madonna also asked him to “seek to be a devotee of the shoulder wound of my Son which was caused by the cross whilst on his way to Calvary and also see that others have the same devotion.”

Volunteers of Id-Dar tal-Providenza nominated for the Active Ageing Awards

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Mary Verzin, Gemma and her husband John Paris were three volunteers of Id-Dar tal-Providenza among the ninety-four persons nominated for the Active Ageing Awards 2019.
During the Awards giving ceremony held at Qawra Palace Hotel, all nominees were given a certificate in recognition for their work by H.E. The President, Dr George Vella in the presence of Mr Anthony Agius Decelis, Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing.
The winners of this year’s awards were the following:
The Married Couple Award went to Nikol and Mary Baldacchino. Paul P. Borg and Professor Stanley Fiorini received the Award for Academia in Ageing, and the Award for Sport in Ageing went to John Magri. Two musicians, Maestro Paul Abela and singer Freddie Portelli, received the Awards for Ideal Model and Culture in Ageing respectively. The Award for Intergenerational Solidarity went to Special Olympics Malta, and Anġlu Fenech and Maria Camilleri received the Lifetime Achievement Award.
The winners were chosen by a board headed by Professor Carmel Borg.
Parliamentary Secretary Anthony Agius Decelis said that the record number of nominees “shows that the people appreciate the work being carried out by Government, and also that the policy of active ageing is being appreciated among the elderly.”
President George Vella expressed his appreciation at the steps being taken to alleviate the solitude which may affect some persons, particularly those who feel the absence of a family during the day. In this regard, President Vella also referred to activities organised at day centres for the elderly within the community.

€1,020 raised during the Mater Dei Hospital Volleyball League 2019

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€1,020 were raised during the 5th edition of the Mater Dei Hospital Volleyball League 2019 organised by the Employee Health and Well Being Unit within Mater Dei Hospital in collaboration with the Malta Volleyball Association on Saturday, 7th September at the Cottonera Sports Complex.

This year, a record number of participating teams was recorded – 15 in total and, similar to previous years the proceeds collected were donated to Id-Dar Tal-Providenza. Following a good competition amongst the 15 teams, Volley Lama, Land Sharks, Mater Dei and More Volley Mates qualified for the Semi Finals. Mater Dei Team placed 3rd, Volley Lama 2nd and the Land Sharks were declared as winners.

Special thanks goes to all the helpers while looking forward to the following League which manages to get people together to enjoy sports, make new friends and give out a helping hand to Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The €1,020 raised were presented to Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home by Mr Ivan Falzon CEO of Mater Dei Hospital and Ms Monica Camilleri Assistant Principal Employee Health & Well Being Mater Dei Hospital.

‘Fewġa Friska’ – Another vocal and instrumental concert by the St. Paul Chamber Ensemble

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The St. Paul Chamber Ensemble presented another vocal and instrumental concert at the parish church of Santa Luċija under the direction of Chev. Mro. Mark Agius. The concert was organised by the Santa Luċija Local Council in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Taking part were sopranos Karen Gatt Darmenia and Frances Catherine Farrugia, tenor Joseph Aquilina, baritone Louis Andrew Cassar and guest artist Louisa Buhagiar.
Present for the occasion were the Vice-Mayor, Mr Frederick Cutajar, the parish priest the Rev. Dr Joe Mizzi, the Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Fr Martin Micallef and representatives of the Chinese Community in Malta. The concert was planned to take place at the Chinese Garden of Serenity in the locality of Santa Luċija but had to be moved to the church because of inclement weather.
The St. Paul Chamber Ensemble is one of Malta’s finest orchestras, bringing together some of the most talented musicians and singers on the island.

Dar tal-Providenza residents take part in annual pilgrimage to Lourdes

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A group of around one hundred and ninety pilgrims took part in the annual pilgrimage in Lourdes between August 22nd and 27th. The annual pilgrimage, that was led by Fr Josè Debono, is organizsed by the Assoċjazzjoni Voluntarji Lourdes (AVL). Making part of the group were three Dar tal-Providenza residents together with Sr Lorenza Borg and their support workers.

This year’s pilgrims included patients, volunteers amongst them a number of youths, doctors, nurses, support workers and priests among others. Each patient had one or two helpers assigned to him or her, depending on the case. Among them were nurses and doctors from the Renal Unit at Mater Dei Hospital who saw that these patients had their dialysis treatment while staying in Lourdes.

The group attended the Aux Flambeaux procession, the Via Sagra and an international mass which was celebrated on Sunday besides a mass in Maltese at the grotto.

Each year, the Association assists sick persons to travel from Malta to visit the Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of Lourdes at the Grotto, where she appeared for the first time to Bernadette Soubirous on the 11th February 1858. The Association promotes universal devotion towards Our Lady, organises and co-ordinates pilgrimages for the sick to Lourdes. It brings together dedicated persons inspired by charity to voluntarily assist the sick throughout such pilgrimages.

Residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza at the “Festa Għeneb” in Siġġiewi

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A group of Dar tal-Providenza residents took part in the “Festa Għeneb” organised by the Siġġiewi Local Council in the main square of the village on Sunday, 25th August 2019. They set up a stand where they could exhibit and sell food products that they themselves prepare at the St Isidore Agriculture Centre. ‘Friends of Id-Dar tal-Providenza’ also set up another stand selling drinks with the profits going towards the Home.

“Festa Għeneb” is a cultural activity to foster awareness of grapes and its ties with the village. Siġġiewi is the locality with the largest concentration of vineyards with hundreds of families involved in the processing of grapes.

“Festa Għeneb”, which is in its eighth year, is held with the collaboration of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and VitiMalta with the participation of various organisations based in Siġġiewi. The activity is in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and the funds raised will be presented on New Year’s Day during the Feast of Generosity that is broadcast live on Malta’s main TV stations.

€5,425 raised in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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A total of €5,425 was raised during an annual BBQ organised by the friends of Pierre Vella Petroni and Anne Marie Xuereb in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. The event is now in its seventh year. This sum will help support persons with disability who use the residential services of the Home.

When presented with the cheque, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, thanked the organisers, helpers, sponsors and all friends and relatives who attended the activity and made a donation.

The companies that donated money or goods for the event were Valyou Superstore of Naxxar; Prime Limited; Big Fresh of Mosta; The General Soft Drinks Co. Ltd.; Simonds Farsons Cisk; C. Camilleri & Sons; Zamco; Mr Ronnie Axisa and Mr Karl Vella Petroni; Vascas; Studio 9; Provita; Rausi & Co; Joseph Casapinta, artist; BOV plc and BNF Bank.

Grateful thanks to all those who attended to make this yet another successful event.