Teams from the Radio Base Stations (RBS) and Installation departments at Vodafone Malta joined forces with St Joseph Home in Sta Venera for an Open Day held last weekend. In collaboration with the Vodafone Malta Foundation, employees came up with the idea of participating pro-actively in the initiative by organising and supervising abseiling and aerial runway events.
The Vodafone teams prepared themselves well for the event with the required training, and familiarised themselves with the home while making friends with the children currently living there. A twelve-hour shift on the day saw over 200 participants take part in Vodafone’s events. Even children as young as 4 years had the opportunity to try out the activities under the strict supervision and scrutiny of the trained and specialised Vodafone team. The Open Day turned out to be a family fun day for Vodafone staff who turned up with their families to support their colleagues.
The Open Day was organised by St Joseph Home to raise awareness about the Home’s Independent Living Project, in a drive to inform as many people as possible about children who live in homes and about the services being given at St Joseph Home. The Home has regular waiting lists to admit boys in care. As a charity, the Home depends on the generosity of the Maltese public to continue its mission. With running costs of €300,000 per year, mostly in expenditure on salaries and children’s requirements, the Home finds it difficult to embark on capital projects which would improve the living quarters of the children resident at the home.
The Independent Living Project involves the refurbishing, maintenance and upkeep of one of the main wings of the Home which currently houses 5 adolescents. 18-year-old residents who face the prospect of leaving the Home to embark on an independent lifestyle by living alone find the move challenging. The Independent Living Project is all about giving the 18-year-old residents the opportunity of spending more time at the Home in separate units, until they make the necessary arrangement for a future of independence.
“Sometimes in life we’re surprised by the sheer joy of giving,” said Fr Frank Cini from St Joseph Home. “The Open Day brought home to me the beauty of so many people who surround us with love and affection. The Vodafone Foundation Team changed our little open day into a hub of excitement, fun and adventure for a lot of people, not least the children who live at St Joseph Home. Seeing the children’s expressions - terrified but thrilled while braving their fears during the games gave me more joy than money could have ever bought.”
Vodafone employee Mike Farrugia said “It was a special and unforgettable day for me. The Vodafone team managed to give children and their parents a chance at experiencing something different, while raising the profile of the Home’s Independent Living Project.