Festa ta’ Ġenerożita’ back on January 1st 2024

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This year, ‘il-Festa ta’ Ġenerożita’ in aid of Dar tal-Providenza will be organised again
under under an installed canopy at the Dar tal-Providenza outdoor parking in
Siggiewi. This was announced by the director of ‘Dar tal-Providenza, Fr Martin
Micallef, during a Press Conference held this morning, 5th December 2023.

Il-Festa ta’ Ġeneroiżita’ will be broadcasted live on main local television stations
between 10:00am and midniht. At 9:30am, TVM2 will broadcast a Special Mass by
Mons Archbishop Charles J. Scicluna from the chapel at Dar tal-Providenza. During
the day, an auction for work of art will be held. Such work of art will be exhibited in
the main hall of ‘id-Dar tal-Providenza’. Interested parties may browse through the
whole catalogue on www.dtpauction.com. Online bidding will commence on the
15th of December onwards, on belgraviaacutions.com.

During the Press Briefing, Fr Martin Micallef emphasised that Dar tal-Providenza is
committed to keep offering quality service to its residents, as it continues to aspire
to keep improving as much as possible the quality of life of the same residents. He
emphasized that although the provision personalised services to residents is a
crucial element, the objectives of Dar tal-Providenza are to assist residents in to be
included in society, and also participate actively. Fr Martin explained in detail the
fees incurred by Dar tal-Providenza on an annual basis, which are required to
continue enhancing investment in human resources, purchase of new equipment,
maintenance, and new capital projects. All of such investment is ultimately
required to continue improving the services provided to its residents, and to launch
new homes in the community.

Il-Festa ta’ Ġenerożita’ on the 1st of Jannary is an annual event, where the
institution request the Maltese and Gozitan population for their financial
contribution. The institution requires more than €6.5 million annually to be able to
operate.

Ms Camilleri Cassano, Administrator at Dar tal-Providdenza explained how
donations can be done as from today until the 1st of January 2024 in a variety of
means: By Telephone: €10 – 51602012, €15 – 51702013, €25 – 51802014,
€50 – 51902085, €100 – 51302022 SMS €7- 50618922
One can also use Paypal or by Bank transfer on one of Dar tal-Providenza’s
accounts: APS Bank, BOV, HSBC, Lombard Bank, BNF Bank.
Additionally, individuals may place donations of more than €20 by means of a
cheque addressed to Dar tal-Providenza, Triq Lapsi, is-Siġġiewi SGW2822. It should
be noted that cheques of less than €20 value cannot be exchanged dfollowing a
directive issued by the Central Bank of Malta.
Other Donations may be received at the Office of Dar tal-Providenza, situated at
Triq San Pawl, il-Belt (behind the market), between 9:00am an noon; at Poala
Catholic Bookshop, and the Rabat Central Square during the days preceding
Christmas until the 1st of January 2024.

The Down Syndrome Association is awarded this year’s Mons Mikiel Azzopardi Prize.

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The Down Syndrome Association Malta is this year’s winner of the Mons Mikiel Azzopardi Award. This was announced by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, during a vocal and instrumental concert by the band of the Armed Forces of Malta. H.E. the President of Malta Dott. George Vella, in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop, Mgr Joseph Galea-Curmi, presented the award to representatives of the Down Syndrome Association. The concert was held at the Metropolitan Cathedral in Imdina by the band of the Armed Forces of Malta under the baton of its Director of Music, Captain Jonathan Borg. Christine Delicata was the presenter.

The Down Syndrome Association Malta was formed in 1981 when it was established and led by parents of persons with the Down Syndrome. The association is registered as a voluntary organisation and as such is totally dependent on voluntary support and donations made by the generosity of its members and the general public in order to maintain its mission and cover administrative expenses.

One of the main aims of the association is to encourage persons with the Down Syndrome condition to reach their potential where they can live indipendently in a society that accepts their capabilities. The association also helps parents who just had a new born with the Down Syndrome condition by providing advice and support particularly during the early stages of its life. Another role is that the association represents the interest and needs of Down Syndrome persons in all aspects of their lives and individual needs as members of the family and the community.

The concert that was very well attended took place on Friday, December 1st on the occasion of the World Day for Persons with Disability that is celebrated on December 3rd. In a short address, Fr Martin Micallef said that the United Nations established this Day as an annual occasion for society to unite as one to support persons with disability living in our communities, establish awareness of the importance that we create a better  future in which persons with disability enjoy equal opportunities and do not have to face any obstacle in all aspects of their lives in the communities they make part of, both in their daily lives as well as in their expectations for gainful employment and the realisation of their aspirations. To this, Pope Francis added the importance that during this Day we also promote a culture for life that continually affirms the dignity of every person, especially as a protection to men and women of all ages and social conditions.

The concert included works by Kettlebey, Yoder, Nelhybel, Appermont, Coleridge‑Taylor together with those of Maltese composers  Aurelio Belli, Daniel Vella and Antoine Marcieca.  Solists were Sgt Joseph Zammit on the Euphonium, Bdr Joseph Grech on the tubular bells and tenor Bdr Georg Zammit.

The Mons Mikiel Azzopardi award, that was given out for the first time in 1955, is awarded every year in recognition of contributions made by persons in the disability sector in Malta and Gozo as well as to persons and organisations that help out Id-Dar tal-Providenza in its mission.

Arts Exhibition in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza hosted by the Parliament of Malta

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The Parliament of Malta hosted an exhibition of works of art – paintings, sculptures and ceramics – donated by various Maltese and foreign artists. These works of art will be auctioned off online in aid of Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza on January 1st as part of the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità that will be happening under the big tent in the Home’s Siġġiewi car park and to which everyone is welcome.

The Director of the Home, Fr Martin Micallef, thanked the Speaker, the Hon. Dr Anġlu Farrugia, for once again agreeing to host the exhibition in the Parliament’s entrance, a truly central and accessible location for the public in Valletta. With the full support of Dr Farrugia it can be said that the exhibition has become an annual event. Fr Martin appealed to all Maltese and Gozitans to join in at the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità on new year’s day.

In a short address, the Speaker referred to the work achieved by Mgr Mikiel Azzopardi, whom he described as a pioneer who taught and encouraged the Maltese and Gozitans to change their attitude towards persons with disability.

Dr Farrugia thanked all the artists, both Maltese and foreign, for their generosity in donating their works of art as well as those carers and support workers who work with the residents of Id-Dar tal-Providenza.

The catalogue of all the works of art as well as more information on the auction may be accessed online on www.dtpauction.com. One can bid online on www.belgraviaauctions.com. between December 15th 2023 and the 1st of January 2024.

Bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Grand bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi  from Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th November  between 8.30am and 4.00pm. You can find new and second-hand items like books, clothing, plants, kitchen goods and utensils, decorations, antiques and other useful objects.

See you then.

Lions Clubs present donations to Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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On Sunday 12 November 2023, the Presidents of Lions Club St Paul’s Bay, Lions Club Mdina Malta Host u Lions Club Sliema presented their annual donation to Id-Dar tal-Providenza during a mass attended by its members and celebrated by Fr Martin Micallef, Director of the Home at the home’s chapel. Fr Martin thanked all the Clubs and their members for their generous donations.

Malta’s Parliament hosts Arts Exhibition in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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The Parliament of Malta is again the venue of an Arts Exhibition that included works of art – paintings, sculptures and ceramics – donated by various Maltese and foreign artists. These works of art will be auctioned off online in aid if Id‑Dar tal‑Providenza on January 1st, 2024 part of the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità that will be taking place under the big tent in the Home’s Siġġiewi car park where everyone is invited to attend.

The exhibition, that is happening at the Parliament’s foyer with the support of the Speaker, Dr Anġlu Farrugia, will remain open till November 30th and is open to the public between 9.00am and 5.00pm Monday to Friday and between 9.00am and 12.30pm on the weekend. One can view the exhibits by presenting his/her Identity Card. The catalogue of all the works of art as well as more information on the auction may be accessed online on www.dtpauction.com or www.belgraviaauctions.com.

Bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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Grand bazaar in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza in Siġġiewi  from Friday 6th to Sunday, 8th of October between 9.00am and 4.00pm You can find new and second-hand items like books, clothing, plants, kitchen goods and utensils, decorations, antiques and other useful objects.

See you then.

Archbishop Emeritus, Mgr Paul Cremona OP leads pilgrimage to Lourdes

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Archbishop Emeritus, Mgr Paul Cremona OP led a pilgrimage of the sick to Lourdes that comprised of 180 people from Malta part of the annual pilgrimage to the Grotto of Massabielle in Lourdes. The Association of Lourdes Volunteers is the organiser of the pilgrimage and sees that it the group is always accompanied by a medical team.

Mgr Cremona concelebrated mass together with a group of Maltese priests that included the Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Fr Martin Micallef and the founder of the Ħal Far Peace Laboratory, Fr Dijonisju Mintoff.

Gudja Primary School commemorates its 70th anniversary with a €1,750 donation to id-Dar tal-Providenza

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€1,750 were donated to id-Dar tal-Providenza during a reunion organised on Friday, 25th August 2023 to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Gudja Primary School (1953 – 2023).  Around 300 persons, between ex-students and teachers who attended or worked at the school during the years, attended the reunion.

The Bishop of Gibraltar, Mgr Carmelo Zammit, himself a student in his younger days, concelebrated a thanksgiving mass assisted by Fr Trevor Fairclough and Fr Tony Pace. During his homily, Bishop Zammit said that in its early days the school was already very good.

After the mass a reception followed during which all those present could meet, chat and renew memories with a lot of old friends and teachers.

Photo: Gudja Primary School

Summer BBQ raises €6,630 in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza

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A total of €6,630 was raised by Pierre Vella Petroni and Anne Marie Xuereb in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza during a BBQ for friends held on Friday 4th August 2023. Every year, for the last ten years, Pierre and Anne Marie organised the event and all the monies collected went to the Siġġiewi Home. During the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic the BBQ did not happen however donations were still collected in aid of the Home.

The sum of €6,630 was presented by Pierre Vella Petroni and Anne Marie Xuereb to Fr Martin Micallef, Director of Id-Dar tal-Providenza, who thanked them for organising the BBQ once again as well as all those who helped out and/or made donations.

The main sponsors for this event were Prime Ltd, C. Camilleri & Sons, Ron Axisa, Welbee’s Naxxar, GSD Co. Ltd, Farsons Direct, Vascas Ent. Ltd, Bristow Potteries, Provita, Rausi & Co and Gordon Portelli of Pitkali Malta.