Your website says you wish to '...shape children's reality through education and social responsibility'. What does that mean?

For quite some time I've now come to the conclusion that learning changes minds and awareness changes lives!

Our mission is to help children become the best versions of themselves by involving them in interactive educational activities and socially-conscious initiatives. We help them express their true potential, as well as kindness through creativity. We strongly believe that such an experience can shape children's reality in a way that it could last a LIFETIME.

This is really commendable, Natalia! I'm curious. What drove you to take on this audacious challenge?

Well, I was raised in a family where kindness mattered. I feel that modern times have stripped away the very fiber of teaching good virtues. I just want to turn back the clock and teach children the long-lost values of kindness, giving and caring. These are virtues worth not just preserving, but actively promoting in young children.

Through my interactions with children I have realized that we adults, very often, underestimate their potential. Teaching them important lessons at an early age can make a big difference in their development as human beings.

Living in Malta over the past 10 years has had a positive transformational effect on my personal growth and today I feel a sense of duty to give something back.

So, before we get to the "Children's Challenges" you are organizing, what challenges that you have faced?

As Milton Berle said, 'If opportunity doesn't knock, build a door!'. My door is Lifetime and so far I've managed to keep it open! 

Starting a new venture is not easy but my motivation lies in bringing change, which involves a lot of creativity and patience. To manifest my ambitions of creating positive change in children, I created a set of important, life-skill educational courses for them. I embarked on my journey to impact social transformations in Malta first. The results are so rewarding for me that I sometimes forget the obstacles I had to face along the way.

I am intrigued by your social projects. Can you tell us a little bit more?

I recognized how children were being impacted negatively by the Covid-19 situation and how this was going largely unnoticed. I wanted to help vulnerable children through these tough times and came up with a creative, and topical, idea to support them. This is how our first project, the 'Masks Challenge', was born.

Children created original masks, along with motivational messages, which were donated to the Millennium Chapel in St. Julian's to support children in need. The heartbeat of the campaign were the inspirational thoughts from children... with one truly touching poem written by the 9 year old Maya Sciberras. This was a competition where children won prizes for their creations, but the best reward for all was touching the lives of disadvantaged children.

The success of this initiative, and the great support we received from FES and other Education Departments, including the DHIR, inspired us to embark on a second challenge. The Christmas Challenge invites children between the ages of 7 - 17 to create a toy and write a story about it, which will be donated as Christmas gifts to the less fortunate. The main idea driving this type of initiative, where children help other children, is to make an example of it. It's truly inspirational to see children supporting each other!

I agree... what children are capable of doing is very much underrated! What are you looking to achieve with your projects?

Well, firstly, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by the positive response I got from the Maltese society. I am grateful for the trust Lifetime Malta has gained so far! I hope that through our work we become more connected, because the impact that each of us can have on the world around us is valuable. In challenging times, like the one we are facing now, we strongly believe that unity is what we need most! So yes, stronger connections with local communities to help local children. That's the aim.

And lastly, do you have a message you would like to send to our readers?

Believe in the power of your kindness!

And if you wish to help us make a difference this Christmas, join our competition or simply share the event with your friends!

Wishing you and your families a very merry Christmas!

www.lifetimemalta.com/christmas-challenge

https://www.facebook.com/lifetimemalta/posts/193426262344209