When my beloved daughter Tatyana died at the tender age of 10, my whole world seemed to have been brought to a standstill. Nevertheless, within me I felt the call to spread the love that I still cherish for Tatyana on suffering and orphaned children. With this in mind, I founded the International Charity Society (ICS) in 1998. The aim of the ICS is “to offer orphans and less fortunate children from the Federation of Russia a so-called ‘Dream Holiday’ in Malta”.

Together with a fabulous group of volunteers, I have managed to make this dream come true for many orphaned children. Who can forget the happiness and love that was exchanged between the Maltese hosting families and these children over the last 10 years? The total cost of bringing these children over was Lm204 [per child]. This includes air fares from Russia to Malta and vice versa, coach fares from the airport and back (between eight and 24 hours driving in total), group-leaders’ fees and accommodation in Malta (although sometimes families took leaders to their homes in order to reduce expenses), the Notary stamp fee for the Director’s permit, as well as fax and telephone, etc., expenses.

Following the tragic death of the orphaned child Maxim Vorobev, the Tver Department requested ICS to submit three sets of Apostille documents in order that the orphaned children could be allowed to come to Malta for Christmas to see their host families again. These documents include: A licence from ETC (extension from 30 April 2009 to 30 April 2010); a document from Social Security (ICS licence from 30 April 2009 to 30 April 2010, with edification of activity of ICS); a document from the Inland Revenue Department (Government registration of ICS activity, licence for the activity); copy of a document from the Public Registry (ICS government registration No. 15057 dated 19 November 1998); a document from Police Headquarters (stating that the children will be granted entry visas and will be allowed to stay in Malta); Memorandum and Articles of ICS; a letter from the Ministry of Finance with reference (recommendation from the Government Ministry); a document from the Ministry for Social Policy (from Department for Social Welfare Standards about inspection of Maltese families by Departmental staff); an invitation and family declaration from each and every family, and a report from the Department for Social Welfare Standards.

To date, I have discussed Maxim Vorobev’s tragic accident with the Russian Parliament representative and the Department of Education in Tver. The Russian Police investigation into Maxim’s death is now over. ICS representative Fr Nikon Belavenets has written an official letter requesting permission for orphaned children from Tver region to come to Malta this Christmas. and ICS is waiting for the new contract from the Russian authorities for holiday visits to be signed between ICS and the directors of all orphanages in Tver. This will give these orphaned children, who have been coming to Malta regularly for the past five to seven years, another opportunity to see their host families again.

To those who oppose the ICS initiative, the saying: “Those who look for faults find nothing else” is appropriate. Personally, when I look back, I really thank God that I was brave enough to undertake such a charitable endeavour. The support of my family, friends and helpers has proved vital, because it has brought new life and joy into the hearts of both traumatised children and Maltese host families.

The greatest consolation I found in doing this work was Jesus’ reassuring words: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me… Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me” (Matt 25, 35. 40).

My special thanks go to Dr V.E. Ragonesi who, since 2000, has been the chairman and legal adviser of ICS and also takes care of the ICS accounts. As an official acknowledgment for his sterling work for ICS, Dr Ragonesi received special recognition from HIH Grand Duchess Maria Vladimirovna of Russia on 27 October of this year at the Russian Embassy in Malta.

Irina Malikova

International Charity Society

ZABBAR