Even the simplest things can turn into miracles. That empty plastic bottle in your home costs 10 cents - but for someone in need, it has a much greater value.

This was said by Stephen Axisa, the director of the Malta office of Aid to the Church in Need (ACN), which office is located at 35/3 Mdina Road, Attard ATD 9038. Recently, this NGO (VO/2227), which is known briefly as ACN (Malta), launched a new initiative to help Christians in other countries who are being discriminated or even persecuted because of their faith, and are now living in poverty or suffering the effects of war.

"Don't throw away any empty plastic bottles - instead, let them fill hearts with hope," said Axisa.  "That's because ACN (Malta) is willing to come and collect bags with empty bottles from your own homes. All a person has to do is call us between 8am and 4pm (Monday to Friday) on 2148 7818."

Founded in 1947, Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) is a Pontifical Foundation, which falls directly under the Pope. In recent years, ACN has greatly helped Christians in Ukraine and Christians in Gaza, among many other countries around the world. ACN provides, among other things, clean drinking water, food, medicines, as well as medical equipment to provide relief to Christians going through a life of turmoil, day after day.

"What is somewhat of a consolation in these tragic human events, as Pope Leo XIV calls them, is the fact that in many cases the little we give means a lot to these people," said Stephen Axisa. "For now, we're collecting the bags on Tuesday and Thursday.  When people call us to go and collect the bags with their plastic bottles, we will agree with them when it is the best time for them to collect these bags."

Asked to give even a small indication of the cost of the aid provided by ACN (Malta), Stephen Axisa replied: "In countries where we help Christians like us, for every 50 bottles we collect from those who wish to be our benefactors through this initiative, we offer  a school lunch in aid of a poor girl or boy. For every 80 bottles we offer a hot meal; for every 100 bottles we offer a blanket for a displaced girl or boy. With 200 empty plastic bottles we will be able to offer a fee for a school year for a displaced girl or boy. All this aid will be delivered to the schools and centres from where it will be distributed."

Stephen Axisa clarified that they are willing to even come to collect just one bag full of plastic bottles. Of course, whoever has more bags, these can be collected all at once.

More information about ACN (Malta) can be found on the website: www.acnmalta.org, or by calling 2148 7818.