The Malta Charities Association has donated Lm7,500 to the Santa Marija Community, Sedqa’s residential drug rehabilitation programme, aiming to enhance the physical environment of the residents undergoing rehabilitative treatment.
It was the second such donation given by the association, following last year’s, in which they also presented Lm6,500 for the same aim.
The Malta Charities Association is a UK-based charity set up 19 years ago, during which its aim has been to help 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.
These aims have been achieved through the support of their sponsors, donors in both Malta and the UK, and also through the help and encouragement they have received through the many people who attend their yearly fund-raising event in London.
Over the period of 19 years, the association has raised more than £325,000, from which 25 organisations in Malta have benefited.
Ms Patricia Troubridge and Ms Cecily Napier (both Maltese) were the founders of the Malta Charities Association and Ms Madeleine Hladnik, also Maltese, is the present chairperson with a committee of 10 persons. During her visit to Santa Marija Community, Ms Troubridge spoke to the staff and residents, and expressed, once again, the hope that the association’s contribution to the community was fulfilling the charity’s objective.
Mr. Jean-Claude Cardona, Sedqa’s Operations Director, concluded the presentation by thanking the association for helping the residents of the community and improving the environment they live in during their rehabilitation period.
Santa Marija Community 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. Throughout 2006, around 80 clients were enrolled in parts of the programme at any point in time.
The programme has a highly-structured communal living environment, whereby 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.
Sedqa, the National Agency Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, offers its prevention and care services both within the community and in residential settings. People requiring help regarding problems related to alcohol abuse can be referred, refer themselves to these services or access more information by calling Helpline 151. Further information is also available on www.sedqa.gov.mt or www.mfss.gov.mt.