The funds raised on the New Year's Day televised fundraiser for the Dar tal-Providenza amounted to only one fourth of what is needed for the coming year, a spokesperson for the Home told The Malta Independent on Sunday.

Founded by Mgr Michael Azzopardi in 1965, the Home offers residential services to persons with disabilities. The services include permanent or temporary residence and other services aimed to improve their wellbeing.

Funding for the Home relies largely on the generosity of its benefactors, as well as public donations the Home receives to continue to fulfil its missions.

This year, the Home raised a total of €1,445,665 during its largest fundraiser of the year, the Festa ta’ Ġenerożità, held on New Year’s Day. This is an annual activity which takes place at the start of every year, but follows just one week after the greatly publicised l-Istrina, which raises funds for the Malta Community Chest Fund. On 26 December 2022, l-Istrina collected over €5 million.

The money raised by the Dar tal-Providenza on 1 January this year is not enough for the residence to cover the cost of its operations. Nadine Camilleri Cassano, administrator for the Home told The Malta Independent on Sunday that the residence needs around €6 to €7 million a year.

The funds raised are only one fourth of what is needed for the Home’s administration.

“We need over €6-and-a-half million for this year only. Prices and salaries are increasing for everyone, even for us,” Camilleri Cassano said.

Last month, the Dar tal-Providenza director Fr Martin Micallef had also said that this residence needs up to €6 million a year to operate. He had appealed for people to be generous during the festive days – in particular on 1 January – to continue to improve the quality of life of the residents at the Home.

Fr Micallef had explained that the Home intends to continue supporting the individual services that its residents need. In addition, he said that this year, it will continue to invest in human resources, customised equipment, maintenance and modernisation projects.

Fr Micallef had also stressed that in the new year, an investment will also be made in designing a new strategy that should guide the general operation of the Dar tal-Providenza for the next 15 years.

Asked on how the Home finds alternative ways to raise funds, Camilleri Cassano said that the Home continues to receive donations from people and organisations throughout the year. The Home sometimes receives an investment, but these are very few, she said.

Another way which raises funds for the Home is the 25c scheme, which encourages employees to donate 25 cents per week from their wages.

The small amount deducted from the employee’s payroll would be passed on to the Dar tal-Providenza bank account. Described as a social responsibility initiative, this way of raising funds requires little administrative work and the Home encourages all employees to participate.

Among other activities to raise funds, the Home will also be organising its annual BOV Volleyball Marathon, which entails 53 hours of continuous play in the first weekend of July.

Apart from raising funds for the Home to continue to strive for more services, improvement of quality of life and social inclusion, the marathon also encourages voluntary work, sports and respect towards persons with disabilities.

Camilleri Cassano said that the residents of the Home also contribute to the funds, as a small amount of their pension goes to the Home. A total of 97 residents live at the main residence of the Dar tal-Providenza in Siggiewi.

Additionally, a total of 18 people live in the communities of Zerniq in Siggiewi, the community of Shalom in Zurrieq, in Qawra’s community, Akkwarell and Dar Pirotta in Birkirkara.

Camilleri Cassano said that the Dar tal-Providenza is in the process of opening a new community home in the Balluta community this year. This house will be able to take three residents.

“We plan on expanding in the community, by opening more community homes so that residents are not subject to staying only in Siggiewi,” Camilleri Cassano said.

The long-term plan for institutionalisation will help persons with disabilities to integrate into the community, as well as remain close to their families and loved ones.

The Home values the wish, and perhaps need, of persons with disabilities to stay in a residence where they are integrated into society, rather than become isolated from the rest of the community.

Id-Dar tal-Providenza welcomes all volunteers who wish to enrich the life of the residents, even becoming their companions while helping out in the daily operations of the Home and in fund-raising activities.

Those who would like to volunteer must download the relevant application form and send it together with the requested documents to the Home’s Volunteers’ coordinator by post at Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Triq Lapsi, Siggiewi or by email to [email protected]

Donations can be made via Paypal and on Id-Dar tal-Providenza’s accounts at APS Bank, BOV, HSBC, Lombard Bank and BNF Bank. Cheques can also be sent to Id-Dar tal-Providenza, Triq Lapsi, Siggiewi SĠW2822.

Donations for the Home can also be made via SMS or BOV mobile on 7932 4834.