Lina Pecorella launched Children’s dreams Malta last year, a project aimed at helping children in need receive their dream Christmas gift. She speaks with Kevin Schembri Orland about its launch, dreams fulfilled and the meaning of Christmas

The project launched last year, and the idea is for Agenzija Appogg to supply the dreams of children in need. People can then click on a wish on the website and choose to fulfil it.

The gift can be sent to the address of Agenzija Appogg provided by the social worker concerned, or it can be taken by the sponsor to the same address provided. The gift will be passed on to the carers of the child to be given on Christmas.

Dream of a new smile

Their dreams are becoming more and more special as time goes on, she said. “For these children, asking for bikes, laptops, educational toys and everything in between would just remain dreams if it weren’t for the people who have opened up their hearts to help these kids”.

The most heart-warming request this year was made by a 17-year-old girl, asking for a new smile. For a long time, she was neglected and malnourished, resulting in her losing most of her teeth. This was a special dream brought up at the beginning of this year’s project.

“Her life was starting and she couldn’t even look for a job but was later fostered. I accompanied her to one of the dental firms to get a quotation as to how much the procedure would cost. They told us that it would cost €9,000. We then went to a few other firms to get more quotations and the first dental firm found out that this was part of the children’s dreams project. They opened up their hearts and offered to fulfil the dream themselves for free. This was something that really warmed my heart, showing what this project is capable of doing for these children”.

“Another wish saw a child ask to have a training session with a particular football team in Malta. People on Facebook quickly responded and began looking for the right person to contact to help fulfil this dream. The people who follow our Facebook page have really become like a family. We post the really special wishes on there and the community always comes together”.

“A number of wishes were made for McDonalds meals. She explained that there are families who cannot afford these regularly, and as such brothers and sisters would make the same request in order to have an outing together. Their parents would be on an extremely limited budget and I can understand that”.

The future

Next year, Lina plans to continue the project, however wants famous personalities and politicians to take part. “In Lithuania, each year the President hand picks a few requests, goes out and buys the presents. Wraps them and delivers them herself. The project there attracts local politicians and famous people and it is my hope that something similar will catch on here in Malta”.

“This project helps make Christmas memorable for these children. It helps them believe that their dreams can come through. If we can at least help fulfil some of their dreams, it will leave a significant positive mark on their childhood”.

The project launched in Lithuania (her country of origin) five years ago and she began to sponsor dreams a few years back, before the project’s launch in Malta.“As a sponsor, I received cards from the children whose dreams I had fulfilled in Lithuania. I remember one specific card which was a handmade, sent by a girl who wrote that she was very grateful for the gift. She had wished for a book that was very popular in Lithuania, however it was quite expensive and her family couldn’t afford it themselves”.

The first year of the project in Malta saw 35 dreams come true and “I promised that if they weren’t fulfilled, I would fulfil them myself so that they wouldn’t feel left out. I had written an article and published it in several newspapers and within two days all dreams were fulfilled. This year, over 800 wishes have been granted”.

“The idea to bring this project to Malta had popped into my head. I approached the founders to ask permission after realising that no similar project in Malta exists”.

“I then set out to find support for this project. I had no information as to the number of children in Malta who would need such a project. I met with the Commissioner for Children. Anything new in Malta is always met with a small amount of resistance however I was adamant and really believed in this project, I believed in its success. The Commissioner directed me towards AgenzijaAppogg, and I managed to speak with the right person immediately”.

The decision to try and launch the project was taken after the very first meeting with Appogg, she said. “I created the website, while they came up with the number and list of dreams. Some changes from the Lithuanian version had to be made. In Lithuania for example, the sponsors can meet the child and give them the gift in person, and be given a photo. In Malta, however, the names are changed and gifts are given by the parents. This is due to the size of the island, and children in need do not want to show their friends that they are in that situation. These kids who live in difficult social conditions aren’t really exposed, you don’t really see it around us. I agree with the way it is being handled. The age, dream and message however are not changed. In Malta, we give the gift to the parent to give it to their child, trying to empower the parents in their children’s eyes. In fact, I think I will talk to the organisers in Lithuania about this because I believe this way might actually be better”.

A different Christmas

“Christmas in Lithuania is different when compared to Malta. We do not celebrate Christmas day, but rather Christmas Eve, where close family (parents, children and grandparents) meet up and have dinner. We would have twelve dishes set on the table representing the twelve apostles and no meat or dairy products are served. At midnight, presents are unwrapped, however in our country they don’t come from mom or dad, but rather from ‘father Christmas’. I am trying to preserve the idea of ‘father Christmas’ for my family as long as possible. We don’t write the names of the people giving thegifts, it’s always from ‘father Christmas’. We also remember those who have passed. In fact after Christmas Eve dinner, true to our tradition, we leave all the dishes on the table as at midnight we believe the spirits will come to celebrate”.

“This time of year is a very special time for sharing and giving. This project was driven by the joy Christmas brings. It’s a very special occasion in my country and I really believe this project can make a difference here in Malta”.