Children residing in children’s homes have had to adapt to a different lifestyle, Director of Fondazzjoni Sebh Yvonne Mallia told The Malta Independent.

The outbreak has changed the lives of people around the world. Many drastic measures have been taken in almost every sector within Malta aimed at restraining the spread of the virus. The Maltese Church NGO known as Fondazzjoni Sebh had to implement and adapt to a number of precautionary measures in order to safeguard its employees as well as children under their care.

The NGO runs four children’s homes in total which are Dar Fra Diego, Dar San Nikola, Dar Sagra Familja and Dar Santa Teresa. Fondazzjoni Sebh also operates a domestic violence shelter that offers a safe place to women and their children who have experienced domestic violence.

Mallia spoke to the Malta Independent about how the children’s homes they operate are being affected by the virus outbreak, and the measures that have been implemented

Mallia said that “currently the children residing in the homes are between two and 17 years of age.”

Several precautionary measures have been taken within the children’s homes in order to ensure that the virus does not spread even further and to safeguard the children and the employee’s health.

Mallia said that “the staff members working at the children’s homes have to test their body temperature before starting their shift in order to make sure that they do not have any underlying symptoms such as a fever. They are instructed to wash their hands before entering the homes, and often during their working hours.”

Employees are also required to “change their shoes into indoor shoes and to constantly disinfect and clean surfaces so as to ensure that virus particles are not transmitted from one person to another.”

“They have all been provided with the necessary washing liquids, disinfectants, gloves and other hygiene items required in such circumstances.”

Mallia added that “no people other than staff members are allowed into the children’s homes, thus volunteers have stopped providing their service so as to limit the number of people in contact with the children.”

With regards to the measures implemented to safeguard the children, Mallia explained that “they are being constantly reminded to wash their hands more often and to avoid touching their faces as much as possible.”

Such circumstances and major changes have greatly affected the children within the homes in many ways. “Since they are spending their days constantly at home, their daily structure was completely lost, thus they had to adapt to a different lifestyle.”

“In the morning children spend their time studying and doing their school work. After lunch time, they have various activities according to their age and ability. These activities vary from board games, to internet games and to more traditional games such as hide and seek.” Mallia added that “most of our premises have their own outdoor play area, thus children have an allotted time where they are allowed to play outside, as long as they are only with the children they live in the same flat with.”

Apart from this, “therapists have stopped providing their service face-to-face, thus children are not being physically supported by professionals from outside the homes, other than through telephone calls or remote contact. In addition, children are not physically meeting their parents and their loved ones which can be very upsetting to some, because one must consider the importance of such meetings to these children whose past has been very challenging.”

For those who attend school, children have had to adapt to the new educational system which is done through online learning. Mallia explained that “such a change was not easy to adapt to, as some of the children still find it very hard to get used to a learning system where there is no physical contact with their educators.”

Children felt very anxious about the new reality they will be living in. However, “with the activities being organised in order to entertain the children, together with the professional attention, their anxiety was tackled and the children are now adapting to the situation.”

With regards to the carers at the children’s homes, a number of adjustments also had to be made. Mallia said that “carers who live with vulnerable people have been provided with accommodation to live there during this period in order to safeguard the safety of vulnerable people as much as possible.”

She added that “those carers who make use of public transport to get to and from the homes, are currently living within the premises of the home so that they will not have any contact with commuters of public transport.”

All staff are being continuously reminded to follow all the necessary guidance and instructions begin given by the Health Authorities.

“Food and other essential products are being delivered by a number of companies, and items are always being left within our reception area,” Mallia said.

Despite the Covid-19 crisis drastically changing lives and routines in a way no one would have ever thought of, Mallia reflected that after this is over, one might see at least some positives emerge from this horrible time.

“Children are showing more appreciation about the time that used to be spent with their classmates at school, as well as the time when they were able to attend extra-curricular activities such as basketball, football and music lessons,” as currently they aren’t able to do any of those things.

“They have also found a way to appreciate the time spent at home by baking cakes and discovering new hobbies.”

“This experience is a challenge for everyone, however we are taking all the necessary measures to keep the children safe, and to help them live through this situation by dealing with their anxieties and providing them with new opportunities as best we can,” Mallia said.

As a foundation they have received support from services and staff members, as such an “experience has given us the opportunity to better share our resources and to support each other.”

Mallia expressed her sincere gratitude to all staff members. “We are also very grateful for the support and donations by people who have come forward to support us despite it being a challenging time for everyone.”

“This situation has brought about additional demands and unforeseen expenses, thus every little bit of support which we receive counts and is highly appreciated.”