Dar tal-Providenza residents with their own King Carnival float in Siġġiewi square on Monday

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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.

‘Always a pleasure visiting this Home’ – The President of Malta, Dott. George Vella

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‘It is always my pleasure to visit this Home and it is truly emotional seeing the attention given to the residents who live in this Home.’ This was expressed by the President of Malta, Dott. George Vella in comments made to the media following his visit, accompanied by his wife Mrs Miriam Vella, to Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi. This was his last official visit to the Home since his tenure of his 5-year presidency is nearing its end. The event began with mass celebrated at the chapel by the Director, Fr Martin Micallef and Mgr. Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia.

The President and his wife had the opportunity to chat with most of the residents and support workers that were gathered in the chapel and later in the main hall. They also visited the therapeutic pool, the agriculture centre St. Isidore, the gym as well as the renovation works being undertaken in one of the flats of Villa Papa Giovanni.

At the end of the morning’s visit, after lunch with members of the Home’s administration and a representation of the residents, the President responded to Fr Martin’s thank yous by saying that he strongly feels he should thank the Director as well as all the employees for their dedication and work in all the homes of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza hosts Cabinet Meeting

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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.

 

MEP David Casa pays visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Member of the European Parliament, the Hon. David Casa paid a visit to Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi where he had the opportunity to meet up with the residents and see for himself the services offered by the Home. He spoke with the residents about his work in the European Parliament where he is presently the negotiator on a law that should continue to improve on the rights of persons with disability in all member countries of the European Union. He also thanked the employees of the Home for their work and dedication.

A new Collective Agreement for Id-Dar tal-Providenza employees

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A new collective agreement has been signed between Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza and the General Workers’ Union (GWU).   The agreement, covering the period 2024‑2026, provides for better working conditions for all employees as well as a new structure and promotion opportunties. There is also a substantial improvement in salaries as well as various other conditions, it awards the development and training whilst it continues to strengthen family friendly measures. In its totality, this agreement strengthens the relationships of jobs at the Home for the next three years.

The agreement was signed by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza and Mrs Riccarda Darmanin, Secretary of the Professionals, Finance and Services section of the GWU.  It was also signed by Ms Nadine Camilleri Cassano, Administrator of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza, Mr Paul Micallef, Assistant Secretary of the same Section and Shop Stewards Mrs Karen Agius, Mr Miguel Grech and Mr David Muscat.  Present on behalf of the Archdiocese of Malta were the Director of Human Resouces Dr Rebecca Gatt, and the Administrator, Mr Michael Pace Ross.

After the signing of the Collective Agreement, Fr Martin thanked all those involved in the negotiations leading up to the signing of the Collective Agreement for the workers which were carried out in an atmosphere of mutual respect and a desire to continue improving on the working conditions and salaries of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza employees. He added that the will to increase employees’ wages does not only reflect a sense of justice but also an appreciation of the commitment and great dedication of the Home’s employees.

Mrs Darmanin, on behalf of the Professionals, Finance and Services Section of the GWU, expressed her satisfaction at the way the negotiations took place where good will was shown by all which led to a satisfactory conclusion for all parties concerned. Dr Rebecca Gatt, on behalf of the Archdiocese of Malta, said that one has to appreciate the efforts made during the negotiations so that competence and experience of the present work force are recognised and at the same time new talent is attracted.

Those who would like a pdf copy of the new Collective Agreement in Maltese can send an email on info@dartalprovidenza.org. A printed hard copy can be collected from the reception as from Wednesday 24 January 2024.  Copies of the Collective Agreement in English will be availble as from 1 February 2024.  However one can ask for a copy of the salary scale only as from Monday 22 January 2024.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza which was founded in 1965 by Mgr Michael Azzopardi offers residential services to 115 persons with disability.  It employs 289 employees.

Festa ta’ Ġenerożità raises €1,520,517 for Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The people of Malta and Gozo have again shown their generosity towards Id-Dar tal-Providenza and expressed their solidarity by donating €1,520,517 during Festa ta’ Ġenerożità on new year’s day. The funds raised will help the Home to continue providing the best residential services to 115 persons with disability that live in its homes. These funds will also help the Home to finish the refurbishing and improvements of the environment for the residents of Villa Papa Giovanni in Siġġiewi where extensive renovation works have already been done during the past year.   At the end of the twelve‑hour televised marathon, Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home augered that the solidarity shown towards Id‑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.

This year’s Festa ta’ Ġenerożità was broadcast from under the big tent purposely set up in the Home’s parking lot in Siġġiewi. It started off with a mass celebrated by H.G. The Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna in the Home’s chapel and went on till midnight. 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 delivered by 10-year old Kate Prasel Caruana.

On again was the art auction – paintings, sculptures and ceramics – donated by various Maltese and foreign artists. Once again everything, including the bidding, was online and the sale of the works of art raised €39,042.

The Hon. Julia Farrugia Portelli, Minister for Inclusion, Voluntary Organisations and Consumer Rights who represented the Prime Minister Dott. Robert Abela, donated €25,000 from the Good Causes Fund.

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 Id-Dar tal-Providenza on behalf of the parish communities.

In his homily, Archbishop Scicluna focused on the five blessings that the national poet Dun Karm Psaila mentions in the National Anthem: wisdom, charity, health, unity and peace that should guide us through the year. He augured for peace in the hearts of all Maltese and Gozitans because whoever has no peace in his heart is a poor person whilst those embracing peace are very rich indeed.

In the concelebration, the Archbishop was assisted by Mgr Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia, Fr Josef Mifsud, Archpriest of Siġġiewi, and Fr Martin Micallef, Director, and Fr Trevor Fairclough,  Spiritual Director of Id-Dar tral-Providenza.

This new year’s Festa ta’ Ġenerożità get under way

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The Festa ta’ Ġenerożità on the first day of the new year got under way with a mass concelebrated 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 mass, which was atttended by the President of Malta, Dott, George Vella and Mrs Vella, there was the traditional Christmas homily made by Kate.

In his homily, Archbishop Scicluna dwelled on the five blessings that the national poet Dun Karm Psaila mentions in the National Anthem: wisdom, love, health, unity and peace. He augured that peace be in the hearts of all Maltese and Gozitans because whover does not nurture peace in his heart is a poor person indeed whilst those who endear peace in their heart end up being very rich.

Durin the concelebration of the mass, the Archbishop was assisted by Mgr Charles Cordina, Episcopal Vicar for Diaconia, Fr Josef Mifsud, Archpriest of Siġġiewi and Fr Martin Micallef, Director and Fr Trevor Fairclough, Spiritual Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

Photo: Ian Noel Pace, Archdiocese of Malta

 

Counting down to Festa ta’ Ġenerożita’ 2024

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The public can make its donation right now as follows:

  • 5160 2012 – €10
  • 5170 2013 – €15
  • 5180 2014 – €25
  • 5190 2085 – €50
  • 5130 2022 – €100
  • (SMS) 5061 8922 – €7

By cheque of more than €20 addressed to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Lapsi Road, Siġġiewi SGW 2822;

Using Paypal or Bank Transfer through one of Id-Dar tal-Providenza’s accounts with APS Bank, BOV, HSBC, Lombard Bank or BNF Bank;

Or personally at Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi, at the Valletta office at St. Paul’s Street right behind the old market in Valletta (Tuesday to Saturday between 9am and noon), at the Paola Catholic Bookshop, or at the Rabat Malta square in front of the parish church up to January 1st 2024.

Santa Claus made it to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Santa Claus used one of the modern transport systems, the helicopter, so as not to miss out on dropping by for a handshake and a photo opportunity with the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Thanks to the Armed Forces of Malta, the residents gathered in the Home’s parking lot to watch Santa Claus dangling from a winch and coming towards them to the ground.

Of course, the residents did not miss out on having their photo taken with Santa Claus.

Eden Leisure Group donates €5,000 to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Mr Simon De Cesare, CEO, and Ms Kate De Cesare, Chief Sustainability Officer, of Eden Leisure Group donated €5,000 to Id-Dar tal-Providenza. Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home, thanked the Group for its sustained support of the Home.

Eden Leisure Group is one of the considerable number of large and small companies and entities in Malta that encourage its employees to pass on a small contribution from their salaries to Id-Dar tal-Providenza as well as inspire other companies to do the same.

Employers can get more information on this act of solidarity by sending an email on info@dartalprovidenza.org. On their part, employees who wish to be part of this scheme may contact their HR Manager to encourage the company they work for to become part of the scheme.