€687,795 raised during Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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€687,795 were raised during the 11th edition of the Volleyball Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza that took place between Friday 5th and Sunday 7th July in the parking lot of the Siġġiewi Home. This sum included that of €378,226 which was collected during a special edition of Xarabank on June 28th on TVM.

Forty young male and female players, coaches, referees, score keepers, medical doctors, physiotherapists and nurses challenged the persisting heat of the day and played fifty-three hours of non-stop Volleyball to raise much needed funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza. The Marathon was officially inaugurated on Friday by H.E. The President of Malta, Dr George Vella. Present at some time during the Marathon were the Prime Minister Dr Joseph Muscat and Mrs Michelle Muscat, the Leader of the Opposition Dr Adrian Delia, H.G. the Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna, Auxiliary Bishop Mgr. Joseph Galea Curmi, Ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries and members of Parliament from both sides of the House as well as Malta’s MEPs. They also spent some time taking phone calls and donations from members of the public.

The Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Fr Martin Micallef, thanked all Maltese and Gozitans for the generosity shown during the Marathon and promised that this generosity will translate in more work to improve the qualilty of life of residents at the Homes.

The Volleyball Marathon was broadcast live during various times on TVM, TVM2, ONE TV and NET TV.

On behalf of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, THANK YOU

Inauguration of 53-hour BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon

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The 53-hour BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon for Id-Dar tal-Providenza this year enters into its 11th edition.

The BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon was officially inaugurated earlier this evening by H.E. George Vella, President of Malta who visited the Home and was given a warm welcome by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home and Ms Elvia George, Chief Finance Officer at Bank of Valletta and a board member of the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community and Mr Emanuel Zammit, Chairperson of the Marathon’s Organising Committee. Present for the inauguration were also Hon. Anthony Agius Decelis, Parliamentary Secretary for Persons with Disability and Active Ageing; Dr Clifton Grima, Parliamentary Secretary for Youth, Sport and Voluntary Organisations; Dr Maria Deguara, Shadow Minister for the Rights of People with Disability and Active Ageing; Mr Oliver Scicluna Commissioner for the Rights of Persons with Disability and Kurtsein Sant, Siġġiewi Mayor.

Fr Martin Micallef started his brief address by underlining that “this marathon rests on pillars that are very dear to us – generosity and sport. The altruistic spirit of everyone involved shines throughout the event, witnessing that the Maltese are always at the forefront when it comes to solidarity.” While thanking all those who will be supporting this fundraising event he stressed that “generosity should also be translated into respect for the dignity and rights of persons with disability. I’m always humbled by the public’s support year after year and I assure you that your support during this marathon will continue to help us enhance the quality of life of the residents.” He thanked H.E. Dr George Vella President of Malta for inaugurating the Marathon, The Marigold Foundation BOV in the Community and Mrs Michelle Muscat for supporting this annual event, the organizing committee, the players, volunteers and sponsors.

Corroborating on Fr Martin’s comments, Elvia George said that, “The Marigold Foundation has worked closely with Id-Dar tal-Providenza since it was first set up, taking over the support previously provided by BOV. The sterling service which the home provides, not only to its residents but also to those individuals who make use of its respite services, requires continuous investment. This is needed not only to provide the required services on a daily basis but also to enhance current facilities and invest in new ones.  Over the past five decades, this Home has remained true to the values of its founding Father and truly provides a family environment to all those who seeks its support.” She concluded by saying that in this, Id-Dar tal-Providenza is aligned with the objectives of the Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community to make our community better. 

H.E. George Vella expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the nation comes together to support Id-Dar tal-Providenza, throughout the year, but particularly during this annual event.  He thanked the hundreds of volunteers who dedicate their time and energy to produce this Marathon.  He also appealed to everyone to empathise with all persons of disability and to improve their quality of life both through time and donations.

The Marathon will run until Sunday 7th July at the grounds of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. In addition to supporting the players who will be playing volleyball, visitors may enjoy some of Malta’s best singers, the Bands of the Armed Forces of Malta, the Police Force, Mro Brown and Spiteri Lucas.  There will also be food stalls and entertainment for children. The Marathon will be aired live on television stations TVM, TVM2, NET TV and One TV.

Contributions to Id-Dar tal-Providenza can be made by calling 51902070 for a €50 donation and 51802013 for a €25 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may make their donation on 79324834. There is also a pledge line 2146 3686.

Xarabank raises €378,226 for Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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On Friday 28 June 2019, the sum €378,226 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 eleventh edition of the BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon, which will be held between the 5th July and 7th July 2017 at Id-Dar tal-Providenza, in Siġġiewi.

Donation from Grade 5 students of San Anton School to Id-dar tal-Providenza

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A group of Grade 5 (Year 4) students presented a cheque of €50 to Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano, Administrator of Id-Dar tal- Providenza. The sum was raised from their break-time pompom sale. This altruistic initiative was spearheaded by fellow student Nanelle Sammut as the school`s 23rd Way of Giving.

From left: Michaela Zammit, Francesca Curmi, Sofia Grech Ventura, Nanelle Sammut, Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano, Tom Ellul, Simon Whitehead, Naia Stivala, Lio Brangeon Gaudin.

St Paul Chamber Ensemble donate Concert proceeds to Dar tal-Providenza

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The Director of the St Paul Chamber Ensemble, HE Chev. Mro. Mark Agius, together with his assistant Ms Karen Gatt Darmenia presented another donation to Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The proceeds came from the Concert of Sacred Music “Angelus”, that was held at the St Paul’s Metropolitan Cathedral in Mdina on the 5th of April 2019.

11th edition of BOV Marigold Volleyball Marathon in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza officially launched

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The 11th edition of the BOV Marigold Volley Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza was officially launched during a press conference held at the home for people with disability in Siġġiewi.

The 53 hour volleyball marathon will kick off on Friday 5th July at 6.30pm in the car park of id-Dar tal-Providenza and continues non-stop until midnight on the 7th July 2019.

The 2019 was officially launched by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and Ms Michelle Muscat, Chairperson of ‘The Marigold Foundation – BOV in the Community’. 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.

‘The Marathon is an annual fund-raising event in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza that really puts altruism to the fore,’ said Fr Martin. ‘The marathon sees sportsmanship and volunteerism going 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.’

‘The Marigold Foundation recognises the fact that for the majority of its funding requirements id-Dar tal-Providenza relies on donations from the Maltese and Gozitan population,’ said Mrs Michelle Muscat. ‘The role of the Marigold Foundation in this annual fund-raising initiative is to cover all expenses related to the organisation of the volleyball marathon, thus ensuring that each and every cent donated by the general public during this weekend of solidarity goes towards the running and upkeep of this very important element in the fabric of the Maltese Community.’

‘Bank of Valletta has been an integral part of all 11 editions of the Volleyball Marathon, an initiative that we are proud to be associated. Besides raising the much needed funds, this event spreads the Home’s message of respect and dignity towards people with disability,’ said Ms George. ‘We are confident that this year’s edition will once again be another testimony of the nation’s generosity that we are synonymous with.’

‘We are very grateful to all the participants in the marathon, the players, organisational committee and volunteers who each year turn up in numbers to ensure the success of this annual celebration of sports and solidarity,’ said Mr Zammit. ‘We are happy to see the commitment of people who return year after year, as well as seeing new faces to keep the event fresh and form new friendships in this ever increasing family.’

Contributions can be made by calling 51702012 for a €15 donation and 51802013 for a €25 donation. A donation of €6.99 can be made by sending a blank SMS to 50618944. BOV Mobile Pay subscribers may make their donation to on the following number 79324834. There is also a pledge line 2146 1537.

The Maltese High Commissioner for Australia and New Zealand pays visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Maltese High Commissioner for Australia and New Zealand, Mr Charles Muscat and Mrs Muscat paid a courtesy visit to Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi.
Fr Martin explained to Commissioner Muscat the work that is done with persons of disability in the Home’s residencies and the continuous need for financial support from the people of Malta and Gozo. Commissioner Muscat praised the work of the Friends of Providence House Group in New South Wales that raises funds every year from amongst the Maltese living in Australia in aid of the Siġġiewi Home.

“At Id-Dar tal-Providenza I see a living miracle that renews itself every day.” – The President of Malta, Dr George Vella during his first official visit to the Siġġiewi Home.

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The President of Malta, Dr George Vella, accompanied by Mrs Vella, paid his first official visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza and in a short speech to residents and workers he said that in Id-Dar tal-Providenza he sees a living miracle that renews itself every day. He added that gone are the days when persons with disabillity were set aside or not given the attention they deserved. This is something that reflects the progress in our society where persons with disabillity get what they deserve by right and not through charity. The President said that this is something that truly elevates human dignity because every person, even with faults and failings, is in God’s image and deserves the full respect from everyone. Dr Vella ended by thanking all workers and volunteers for their duty and work they are doing on behalf of society.

In his welcome speech, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, congratulated Dr Vella on his appointment to the highest office of the country and said that his presence as well as that of Mrs Vella is not only honour to the Administration, residents and workers but is also a sign, that as with his predecessors, he has the work done at the Home at heart.

Fr Martin said that Id-Dar tal-Providenza is and will remain committed to offer its services to persons with disability as well as being an inspiration to Maltese society of the values that distinguishes us as a nation, that of solidarity and respect for every person from conception to death.

The President and Mrs Vella visited the chapel and the museum dedicated to Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi and later toured the Therapeutic Pool, the Agriculture Centre, the Multisensory rooms and the Music Room. They also took the opportunity to meet some of the employees.

During a luncheon, Fr Martin presented the President with a silver plate with a signed message by Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi.

13th May 2019 – the 32nd Anniversary of Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi’s death

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The 32nd anniversary of Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi’s death was commemorated with a eucharistic celebration at the chapel of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. In attendance were members of the Malta Catholic Action, residents and friends of the Home. Dun Mikiel, as more popularly referred to, was born in Valletta on February 10th, 1910. He founded the Siġġiewi Home in September 1965 and died on May 13th, 1987.

Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, led the celebration assisted by Fr Reuben Gauci, Ecclesiastical Assistant of ZAK (Catholic Action Youths), In his homily, Fr Martin described Dun Mikiel Azzopardi as a good shepherd who still inspires Maltese society with his vision and work so that persons with disability are accorded respect, dignity and rights which they did not have in his time. He also helped to correct the way Maltese society looked at persons with disability then. Persons with disability are not second-class citizens but persons with equal rights. At the moment, Id-Dar tal-Providenza hosts approximately hundred and fifteen persons between the ages of fourteen and over eighty years. It is made up of three residences: Villa Monsinjur Gonzi, Villa Papa Giovanni and Villa Papa Luciani and includes community homes in Siġġiewi, Qawra, Birkirkara, Żurrieq and, later this year, in Balluta.

Fr Martin also referred to the vision of Jean Vanier who died last week on May 7th at the age of 90. Vanier, who had paid a visit to Dar tal-Providenza in September of 1985, like Dun Mikiel has founded the communities known as L’Arche where persons with intellectual disabilities live together with their helpers in small homes in the community. Today, L’Arche is spread in thirty-seven different countries around the world. Jean Vanier used to say that living with persons with disability helps you appreciate the beauty in their heart and the unique value of every person. Jesus never rejected anyone and showed us that he wants to include everyone so much so that he became one like us. Vanier stresses that the world exalts those capable of going up the rungs of success, ambition, competition, material wealth and power. Despite laws and conventions safeguarding the rights of persons with disability there are still those that regard these persons as a “problem” and so we promote the abortion of persons with disability when still in the womb and we discriminate against perons with disability.

At the end of the celebration, Mr Josef DeBono, President of the Malta Catholic Action made a short address during which he criticised the hate speech against persons with disability that we have been bombared with lately in our own country. He urged that, like Dun Mikiel, we promote the culture of life that respects every person from conception. Those present also found time to gather and pray around Dun Mikiel’s grave.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza bids farewell to Jean Vanier, Founder of L’Arche International

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Id-Dar tal-Providenza wishes to express its sorrow for the death of Jean Vanier, the founder of the international communities l’Arche and Faith and Light at the age of 90.
Jean visited id-Dar tal-Providenza on the 9th of September 1985, when he was in Malta at the invitation of the Diocesan Youth Commission to be the main speaker at the first edition of ‘Festażgħażagħ’ that was held at the Tradefair Grounds in Naxxar. During his stay in Malta he also gave a series of talks at the Caritas offices in Floriana.
Jean Vanier was a Canadian philosopher of French origin who in 1964 chose to leave behind his academic career and began living with two intellectually disabled men in Trosly in France where he founded the communities of L’Arche. In these communities, intellectually disabled persons together with their helpers shared their life together in small homes in the community. Little by little, with the courage and vision of Jean Vanier, the L’Arche communities in France mushroomed to 152 spread over 37 countries across the five continents. Today, 5,000 disabled men and women are living at the heart of society, can make themselves heard and live in an environment that helps them develop their capabilities to the fullest.

These communities are united in a common vision etched on a set of principles that inspire this work.

Jean Vanier was an inspiration to Fr Anġ Seychell, better know as Dun Anġ, to open his home to persons with intellectual disability which he named ‘Dar Nazaret’. Another home that Dun Anġ opened nearby was appropriately named after Jean Vanier.

Jean Vanier’s message is always an encouragement to build communities of compassion with emphasis on the dignity and value of human life. He stresses that persons with disability not only transformed him as a person but he also sees in them a call to appreciate that difference is a gift and not a threat.

Jean Vanier is also an author of many books.