Four hundred and eighty primary school children who this summer attended and participated in its programmes as part of Skola Sajf 2009, in collaboration with the Education Department, attended Festatfal.

Addressing the young participants during this event, Sina Bugeja, CEO of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, praised the effective collaboration between Agenzija Sedqa and the Education Department during Skola Sajf. While children today have many more resources and opportunities than previous generations had, they also have more challenges to face. Thus, these initiatives are very important for our school children.

Present for this event were also Mary Rose DeBono, Service manager - Projects and Initiatives and Saviour Saliba, Skola Sajf national coordinator – both from the Education Department.

This programme was delivered in eight schools between July and September. The programme targeted students from Years 4, 5 and 6. Topics dealt with included peer pressure, positive self image and friends, family, school, substance abuse and internet misuse. The participating schools this year were the primary schools of Birkirkara, Hamrun, Qormi San Gorg, Santa Venera, Siggiewi, San Gwann, Lija and Rabat.

These programmes were delivered by four facilitators from Sedqa’s Prevention Primary School Team which delivers educational prevention programmes in various schools throughout the year.

For more information on Sedqa’s Prevention programmes, one can contact the Prevention Services on 2388 5110 or visit the Agency’s website www.sedqa.gov.mt. Agenzija Sedqa is part of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services which also incorporates Agenzija Appogg (www.appogg.gov.mt) and Agenzija Sapport (www.sapport.gov.mt)