The Church’s Migrants Commission and the Archdiocese of Malta today launched a humanitarian home-hosting initiative open to homeless migrants and refugees in our midst who have been forced to flee trouble spots like Ukraine.
Known as Proġett Kenn (‘shelter’ in Maltese), the programme seeks to welcome, protect and integrate migrants into the community by offering them residential placements for up to six months.
Migrants Commission Director Fr Anton D’Amato said Proġett Kenn was a hands-on response by the local Church to an appeal by Pope Francis – due to visit Malta on April 2 and 3 – for parishes, religious communities and families to take in migrants, who often ended up homeless through no fault of their own. Archbishop Charles Scicluna said: “In recent days, we have all watched harrowing scenes of Ukrainians forced to leave their homes because of war.
Project Kenn presents us with a concrete opportunity to help human beings like them who are in need. “In this spirit, the Church invites citizens from all walks of life to welcome the migrants among us as friends and offer them the opportunity to share with us the experience of living in a safe and hospitable environment. Even if their stay is relatively short, the blessings of being open to each other will endure.”
Proġett Kenn is actively seeking Malta residents willing to host migrants and refugees for between three and six months in order to foster a smoother integration process through a lived experience which is conductive to an improved understanding of respective cultures, customs and traditions. Hosting can take place at a family home or a private residence made available by the owner.
Social worker Marija Zahra said a team of professionals would provide both hosts and migrants with assistance and support throughout the experience. Dursa Mama Kadu, originally from Ethiopia and founder of Spark 15, the first youth refugee organisation in Malta, said he hoped Proġett Kenn would bring about “more reciprocal respect among communities and positively contribute to integration process of migrants in Malta”.
TV presenter Peppi Azzopardi, who threw open his doors to migrants in need and has since encouraged others to do the same, said: “I was originally inspired to take action by Pope Francis’ appeal and can say without hesitation that my family and I have been enriched through our experience of living with different cultures. “I am very enthusiastic about this new initiative and we will definitely be applying to be included.”
Migrants will be identified by social workers or professionals working in the care sector. Priority will be given to refugees who are homeless and in the 18-20 age group living in detention and/or open centres and willing to learn about what integration looks like in Maltese society, cooperate with a host family, pursue their studies and/or seek a job and work towards independent living.
Those unable to host are encouraged to make a donation to the project or become a volunteer.
Further information, applications and referral forms are available from a specially-dedicated page on migrants.mt/kenn or by sending an email to [email protected].