The Vodafone Malta Foundation Family Day taking place on Sunday to celebrate UNESCO’s International Day of Families will provide a fun packed day for all and at the same time raise funds for Caritas and The Eden Foundation.

The highlight of the event will be an attempt by Daniel Abela to cross the 1.2 kilometre wide Ghadira Bay underwater and back, weighed down by some 25 kg. Eden Foundation, Dr Josie Muscat (photo), was asked to give a background to the idea and spell out his thoughts about Sunday’s event.

How did the Eden Foundation become involved in this event?

Daniel and I were discussing a fund raising event for the Eden Foundation to help cover rising costs. After shooting out ideas we came up with an underwater walking event. Daniel expressed a wish that more than one charity organisation would benefit from this event so agreed to involved Caritas.

What are your expectations for the day?

We hope that it will be a very successful event for three important reasons: First of all for Daniel’s sake. He is doing a great charity event and deserves all the support the Maltese and Gozitan public can give him. It is always amazing what one person can do. Secondly both the Eden Foundation and Caritas are major Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) doing great work albeit in different sectors. Both organisations are facing rising costs and we have to meet them through donations and Fund Raising activities. Thirdly, it was the Vodafone Malta Foundation’s wish to involve the family. The Vodafone Malta Foundation does great work and helps local NGOs in numerous ways. We are ever so grateful and thankful.

What are the main challenges facing The Eden Foundation today?

Our numbers keep rising. We are facing new unforeseen challenges as our children grow up. There are putting added weight to our already limited budget. We depend mostly on donations and fundraising. It is becoming even more difficult and challenging. I wish one could concentrate more on the quality of programs. Thinking how to raise money takes up most of our time.

How will the Eden Foundation use the money which will be collected on the day?

The Eden Foundation adapts and adjusts to modern methods of treating children with mental disabilities. As the number of our children keep growing and as our children grow, new programmes are set up. We have to constantly provide new space and materials which unfortunately are extremely expensive. To accept new recruits, we require more staff and this means added wages to our Lm750,000 yearly bill.

What do you think of Daniel Abela and his ‘innovative’ fund raising methods?

Daniel is great. He is full of enthusiasm and has a heart of gold. What he has gone through for his own adopted child speaks for itself. I have a great admiration for the man and wish him success.

The main sponsor of this event is The Vodafone Malta Foundation. In what ways has it helped Eden Foundation over the years?

Were it not for the help we received from Vodafone and the Vodafone Malta Foundation over the years, The Eden Foundation would have never managed to be what it is today. It is thanks to Vodafone, among other businesses and companies, that The Eden Foundation is doing so much good amongst children with mental disabilities. We are proud to be associated with such a generous company.

Apart from Daniel’s challenge, what other events are you looking forward to on the day?

We hope that the whole day will be a successful event. We hope that the different activities organised with our partners will attract a very good number of families and their children. We augur a great turn out.

How do you feel about joining forces with Caritas on this initiative? Do you think NGOs should work together more?

Absolutely. NGO’s should work together and should do their best to avoid complicating work, services and equipment. It is true that this is not always possible – for example The Eden Foundation and Caritas work in totally different fields. It is difficult to share resources, but at least we have joined forces for Fund raising – a big step indeed.

Apart from Daniel Abela’s challenge, in which he will be assisted by the Civil Protection’s D.A.R.T. Volunteers, the day at Ghadira Bay, kicking off at 10am, will also feature food and drink stalls, games for all the family, tug of war featuring Alligators Rugby Team, a penalty shoot out with leading goalkeepers including Mario Muscat and Ernest Barry, and a beach soccer tournament. Other attractions will include an air to sea rescue demonstration by the Armed Forces of Malta and a dog and horse Show by the Malta Police Force. At 5pm Mass will be celebrated by Mgr Victor Grech.