We refer to comments made by Eden and Razzett CEO Mr Nathan Farrugia (TMID, 5 and 6 March) respectively.

Mr Farrugia’s answers to the questions put forward by the Association of Parents of the Eden Foundation – besides not answering the fundamental questions raised by the parents in their press conference of Sunday 1 March – raise more questions than they answer.

Although, as at least is claimed by the CEO, the foundation is now overseen by four trustees from each founding organisation, yet the operational part of the foundation is “overseen” by the present CEO, when parents are aware that there has been a public call to fill the post of CEO. Has the present CEO applied for this vacancy call? How has he been appointed?

With respect to the advance of funds that the government makes to the Eden Foundation, the association wants to know – in clear and unequivocal terms – whether the funds are being utilised strictly for the buying of services from the Eden Foundation. Furthermore, the association wants to know whether the government is recognising the new foundation given that the government granted land on emphyteusis to the Eden Foundation and not to the new foundation. Thus the utilisation of the premises by another foundation may not be respecting the emphyteutical grant.

Furthermore, the CEO says that the “we are registered with the Voluntary Organisations commissioner”. What does he expect? Not to be registered, when the Commissioner is there to oversee the smooth running of the NGOs?

In a public statement Mr Joe Grioli – who was elected unanimously by the two remaining trustees as president of the Eden Foundation – stated that the Eden Foundation is a public/parent organisation. He even thanked Bro Martin Borg for his sterling services especially in helping Eden out of its financial deficit – presumably referring to Bro Martin’s success in securing additional contribution from the government to help Eden cover its expenses.

So what the Association of Parents of the Eden Foundation is still awaiting is not for Mr Farrugia but for Mr Grioli himself to face the parents and justify or answer to many of their queries, among which is why the merger took place without the parents being consulted. The informal discussions referred to by Mr Farrugia with parents also raise doubts, because prior to the take-over, he always refused to meet with the association despite various pleas it made.

Furthermore, Mr Farrugia states that he also had informal discussions with government departments. But we cannot play with the future of our children with disability by mere informal discussions! We want the hard facts and we cannot rest on adventurous informal discussions. Can Mr Farrugia state whether the government has recognised his new foundation? The answer is a very simple “yes” or “no”. But even on this fundamental issue, he does not seem to have a clear reply as befits the position of a CEO.

Does the Eden Foundation statute still hold or has it been superseded by the new Eden Razzett Foundation statute? Who are the eight trustees overseeing the new foundation? Who is the president of the new Foundation? Is Father Charles Abela (the Archbishop’s representative) still a trustee? Has he been removed? By whom? Has he been informed? Why did Bro Martin and Dr Joe Bugeja resign? Are funds received by the Eden Foundation for running its programmes still being used by Eden or by the “unified entity”? If the Eden Razzett Foundation is a joint venture how come Mr Farrugia says that “The two organisations are now a unified entity that makes use of funds raised by Razzett public funds and a contribution paid by the parents of service users”.

If both foundations are a “unified entity” how come that people making use of Razzett’s services are said to be free while parents who have been paying for Eden services since its being set up are now still being made to pay for services? Is this a matter of two weights and two measures? Is this fair? Is this acceptable to the government that the aid it gives to Eden goes to Razzett too since both foundations are now a “unified entity”?

Mr Farrugia states that “we are accountable to the government, parents and all stakeholders”. So why haven’t parents been consulted, despite their repeated pleas? Why have parents not been given the facts prior to the take over by ir-Razzett? Has this new foundation/ merger/takeover/joint venture been given the government’s seal? Since parents are the main beneficiaries of the Eden Foundation, why were they completely left out by their own trustees?

We parents want an explanation from the present Eden Foundation trustees and from the trustees who resigned. Why did the Curia give its consent for the take over to take place? Can we have a public statement from the Curia? Does the Curia still have a representation under the new foundation? If not, why? Has the Curia delivered its death knell? Does the Curia still have a representative on the Eden Foundation Board? When did its representative last attend a meeting?

Mr Farrugia says that the new foundation is a joint venture. How come that the new management administration is made up of:

1) CEO of Razzett Mr Nathan Farrugia (from Razzett)

2) Administration and Finance: Mr Mark Sultana (from Razzett)

3) Operations manager: Mr Antonello Gauci (from Razzett)

4) Fund Raising manager: Mr Joshua Farrugia (from Razzett)

5) Facilities manager: Mr Etienne Scerri (from Razzett)

6) Therapeutic Services manager: Ms Lidwina Wismayer (from Razzett)

7) Director of Programmes- Ms Rita Micallef who is a part-timer with The Eden Foundation as speech pathologist. She works as a full timer with the speech pathology section of the University of Malta and Health Department. It would be fair to inform your readers that since its set up this is the first time that the Eden Foundation programmes are being run by a part-timer.

Mr Farrugia also states that “we have already seen an increase in the diversity and quality of services previously rendered by the two foundations.” The association replies that there has been a deterioration in the services rendered and this is exactly why the majority of the parents went out in protest from the meeting with the CEO. Does the new foundation have a vision and strategy for our special children? Can he cite tangible examples of “the increase in the diversity and quality of services”? This is not the association’s belief.

Furthermore, the association urges the civil authorities, in particular the auditor general, to investigate both the legal proceedings that led to the merger and the financial operations of the new foundation, given that we are speaking here not only of government funds but of funds granted by the people of Malta to a Maltese public owned foundation. In addition, the statute of the Eden Foundation states that if the foundation ceases to operate, its assets should go to the National Commission for People with Disability.

With respect to the link between the Razzett and Janatha Stubbs Foundation, can Mr Farrugia confirm whether the Janatha Stubbs Foundation of the UK appoints the trustees of ir-Razzett?

Mr Farrugia concludes his article by saying that “We received a strong show of support from parents who stayed on”. The photograph accompanying this letter is an indication of the weak support of the parents who stayed for the meeting, most of whom were not aware of the questions that the association had been posing over these past months.

The Association of Parents of the Eden Foundation feels that the matter can easily be resolved by the fairest way: A secret vote taken by the parents and the staff on whether they approve the new foundation or not, and if Mr Farrugia accepts, whether parents feel that the services have deteriorated or not.

Come on, trustees of the Eden Foundation (or whatever is left of it), accept this fair challenge. We as parents and beneficiaries of the Eden Foundation are ready to cooperate to the full to see such a ballot take place fairly and democratically.

Let the parents and employees show their views and wishes. Or is there anything to fear?

Finally, can we have, as parents of special children, a reply to our questions and apprehensions?

Dr Josie Muscat is chairman of the Association of Parents of the Eden Foundation