The Malta Charities Association donated the sum of e13,500 to Komunita’’ Santa Marija, the residential drug rehabilitation programme within Agenzija Sedqa. This is the third donation by the association. Last year’s went to buy furniture, cutlery and other kitchen equipment, as well as various infrastructural works. This year’s donation is planned to cover the refurbishment of bathrooms, kitchen, class room, dining room and gym.

The Malta Charities Association is a UK-based charity set up 20 years ago with the aid of helping different institutions in Malta that need charity support, to be equipped medically and also to help provide better amenities for the elderly, sick, terminally ill, children in need and persons with disability. This aim has been achieved through the support of sponsors, donors in both Malta and the UK, but also with the help and encouragement they have received through the many people who attend their yearly fund raising event in London.

Patricia Troubridge and Cecily Napier (both Maltese) were the founders of the Malta Charities Association and Madeleine Hladnik, also Maltese, is the present chairperson. During her visit to Komunita’ Santa Marija, Ms Troubridge spoke to the staff and residents, and expressed the satisfaction of the members of the association that they have this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of Maltese young people who need help.

Joe Gerada, Chief Executive Officer of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services thanked the Malta Charities Association and acknowledged that in spite of the fact that the Maltese members of the association are living abroad, they felt that they should continue to support social work projects in Malta. He said that sedqa was grateful for this support.

Komunita’ Santa Marija is a service for individuals with drug addiction problems, and its aim is to reintegrate them in society through an intensive, long-term residential programme. Currently there are 36 residents following this programme which is a highly-structured communal living environment, in which persons desiring to stop abusing drugs can discover their true selves, analyse their past behaviour and learn how to adopt a drug-free lifestyle while reintegrating in society. The programme also includes individual psychotherapy and family therapy, which are both integral parts of the programme, making the service holistic by catering for all the needs of the clients, be they medical, social and psychological.

For more information on Agenzija Sedqa one can visit www.sedqa.gov.mt or phone 2144-1014 or Supportline 179. Agenzija Sedqa forms part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services which also incorporates Agenzija Appogg – www.appogg.gov.mt and Agenzija Sapport – www.sapport.gov.mt.