Archive for category: News

Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Galea-Curmi was invited to see one of the flats in Villa Papa Giovanni at Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi where vast renovations have been done so that residents can have a more dignified living environment. He also had the opportunity to celebrate Mass for the residents and employees of the Home.

Works undertaken included structural changes whereby every resident will now have his own bathroom, a complete overhaul of the electrical system and other works meant to safeguard the health and safety of the residents.

In his homily, Bishop Galea-Curmi said: “Id-Dar tal-Providenza is the light of the Church in Malta because it is truly living the words of Christ, ‘You are the light of the world.’ The Home is also a light for Maltese society because it shows that the life of every person is precious in front of God”.

The Director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef, said that the renovations being done reflect the Home’s commitment to continue improving its quality of service with an appropriate environment that also respects the residents’ privacy and personal choices. As soon as these renovation works are over, refurbishing will start on another flat and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Fr Martin thanked all the workers involved in this project, Architect John Papagiorcopulo and Engineer Joseph Cuschieri for their professional services, various other companies that helped supporting this project and not least the Maltese and Gozitan public for their continuous support.

On Thursday 21st March 2024, the Malta Police Force Band hosted a concert of vocal and instrumental sacred music for Good Friday at St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta, in aid of id-Dar tal-Providenza.

This event featured the talents of Soprano Claire Caruana, Tenor Angelo Muscat, Harpist Dr Lydia Buttigieg, Violinist/Saxophonist/Singer David Joseph Sammut, Organist Dr Chris Role, and Pipers Stefan Mercieca and Joseph D’Amato. Lieutenant Mro Dario Salvi and Mro Anthony Cassar conducted the performance, adding their expertise and artistry to the evening.

On Sunday, 25th February 2024, the Friends of Providence House New South Wales, the official ambassadors in Australia for Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza in Malta, held the Annual Festa ta’ Ġenerożità at the La Valette Social Centre in Blacktown, New South Wales.

The MC of the concert and Treasurer, Ms Miriam Friggieri, warmly welcomed a crowd of approximately 250 Australian‑Maltese, inviting all to be generous during this year’s Festa ta’ Ġenerożità.

The fund‑raising concert opened with the Maltese and Australian National Anthems sung by Ms Katelyn Vella, a second‑generation Maltese singer and performer.

Mr Jim Borg, Co‑ordinator of Friends of Providence House New South Wales, warmly acknowledged and introduced the major sponsors of the event, specifically La Valette Social Centre who offered the use of their hall and their kitchen staff,  Breakaway Travel Blacktown as well as Mr Sistu and Mrs Maryanne Zammit.  The Consul General of Malta in New South Wales, Mr Lawrence Buhagiar  also attended the event and highlighted the importance of supporting the work of this charitable organisation.

The video message from Fr Martin Micallef, the Director of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza, expressed the significance and impact the donations make firstly by ensuring that the organization continues to provide support and secondly by empowering those living with disabilities in Malta.

The performers for the event were Mr Joe Apap, Mr Charlie Muscat, Mr Martin Vella, Ms Katelyn Vella, and Ms Natasha Tatarinoff who entertained those present with various Maltese and English songs as well as the two young guitarists Noah Falzon and Jason Tran. The sound and light technician was Mr Ivan Cauchi.

During the intermission, attendees were encouraged to purchase raffle tickets to raise funds for Id-Dar tal-Providenza with the prizes being kindly donated by various sponsors. Mr Borg expressed his deepest thanks to the Committee, namely Rita O’Dwyer, Secretary, and Miriam Friggieri, Treasurer, and presented Certificates of Appreciation to the performers, the major and minor sponsors as well as to those who had assisted in supporting this event.

As a result of the generosity shown by the Maltese-Australian community in Sydney, the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità was a great success with the money donated to be presented to Id-Dar tal-Providenza to assist and support them to continue their important mission in Malta.

A special cheque presentation of all donations collected in Australia will be made at this year’s Volleyball Marathon to be held in Malta in July.

This year, residents of id-Dar tal-Providenza have worked on a King Carnival float with which they will be participating in a Carnival activity taking place in the Siġġiewi main square on Monday 12th February 2024 between 2.00pm and 6.00pm. The activity will include the participation of five dance schools as well as dancing by persons with disability attending the Mtarfa Centre. There will also be games for kids organised by the Siġġiewi Scouts Group whilst members of the Civil Protection Unit and the Police Corps will be exhibiting some vehicles they use in their daily work routines.

This activity, which will be in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, is being organised by the Ħbieb tad-Dar tal-Providenza with the collaboration of the Siġġiewi Local Council.

Today, Id-Dar tal-Providenza hosted a Cabinet meeting which discussed the voluntary sector with various representatives from different NGOs. Before the Cabinet meeting, the Hon. Prim Minister Dr Robert Abela met the residents and workers of Id-Dar tal-Providenza and could see for himself the services which the home offers.  The Hon. Prim Minister was welcomed by Fr Martin Micallef, the Director of the Home.

During the Cabinet meeting, Fr Martin expressed his appreciation, on behalf of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, that the Government chose the Home’s premises to hold this Cabinet meeting to discuss the voluntary sector.

He said that this reflects the Government’s appreciation for the service the Church in Malta offers especially in the social sector like the work done by Id-Dar tal-Providenza which offers high quality residential services to persons with disability.  The Home also gives the opportunity of volunteering to various persons who offer their time and energy to support this cause.

Fr Martin praised the fact that Malta is enriched with a lot of initiatives which all aim to be of service and improve various sectors of society. He also praised the fact that today the voluntary sector is being considered as a strategic partner in various sectors of the socio-economic development of our country.