I refer to the report in the press on the redefinition of poverty by Caritas Malta.

The chronically “poor” in Malta are not, really, those with insufficient financial income through the minimum wage or the social security system but those who lack personal skills. These people, not only in Malta, do not learn throughout their early life in the family... and not even in the formal educational system. As a result they remain lame ducks and inefficient providers for themselves and their dependents, especially their children.

In my social work practice, I learned that poverty has to be attacked at its roots in the early years of life at home and at school. It can easily be detected in schools when little children do not even know how to read and write at seven years of age, after two to three years of compulsory schooling. These can be identified, by observant teachers and social workers working in tandem in schools, as coming from problem families (not families with problems) characterised by unmotivated, even fatalistic, parents who had gravitated into poverty and dragged their dependents, especially their children, with them. And the vicious circle goes on and on.

Caritas has come out with a call for a redefinition of poverty or the “national poverty line” which now stands at an annual income of €5477. This call is good for those who have been classified as poor because of lack of income. What is really needed, I believe, is emphasis on “educational programmes”, mentioned also by Caritas, but not only “for couples with a focus on how to manage their finances”. This has already been tried by other social work agencies in Malta and failed because of lack of cooperation from the “poor”. This happened either because of inertia or, worst, because they perceived that it is in their best interests to continue to exploit the social security system and other charitable sources.

I think that empowering the “poor”, especially poor children, through an individual approach, is a much better strategic option. The chance to break the vicious circle is greater. Children and parents in all state, church and private schools can be the focus of strong teams of motivated and dedicated social workers based in schools. Lately the Association of Social Workers made the same recommendation. There has to be also financial procurement for the provision of these services in state schools. The government should consider seriously financing these services also in other non-state schools.

The Chinese proverb is a very good guideline: ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for one day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for his whole life’.

Tony Mifsud

Marsascala