Vjaġġ ta’ Tama: konferenza stampa minn Fondazzjoni Sebħ fix‑Xara Lodge fir‑Rabat – 23/09/24

Fondazzjoni Sebħ, a Church-run NGO, estimates it will cost around €3 million by the end of the year to continue supporting vulnerable members of society, including children, families, and women and children escaping violence.

Sebħ’s Director Yvonne Mallia turned a spotlight on the meaningful work Fondazzjoni Sebħ has carried out behind the scenes and said that to sustain all its services it had used up €2.4 million last year.

During a milestone event this morning, Fondazzjoni Sebħ launched its new brand conveying messages of love, protection, renewal, hope and a deep-rooted commitment to support women, children and families. This was made possible through a partnership and full sponsorship of 9H Digital and thanks to the support of the Digital Presence Office of the Archdiocese of Malta.

Fondazzjoni Sebħ also provides support to families through Il-Milja, that helps women and their children escaping violence, human trafficking and forced prostitution, as well as forced abortion. In 2023, the cost for this service for 39 persons (17 women and 22 children) was €415,000. This year, the cost is expected to increase to over €500,000. During the past two years, 30 families were provided with necessary support to address their traumatic experience as well as their psycho-social needs, in preparation for an independent life in the community free from abuse.

Around €1.8 million of the €2.4 million was allocated to support children in Sebħ’s residential homes, with an expenditure of around €45,000 per child, to cover basic needs such as food, healthcare, education, therapy, daily maintenance of the homes and round the clock care provision. This made it possible for 48 children to make one of Sebħ’s four residences their home — Dar Fra Diegu, Dar San Nikola, Dar Sagra Familja and Dar Santa Tereża — where they can live and grow in a cherished, safe and dignified environment.

Ms Mallia said that by the end of 2024 the expenditure per child was set to increase by €19,000, reaching €64,000 due to an increase in running expenses and a substantial increase in staff required to offer the children the individualised and specialised attention they require.

“We are anticipating that if Fondazzjoni Sebħ is to continue delivering the necessary and improved level of support and care to the children in residence, we will need around €3 million by the end of this year,” Ms Mallia said.

Over the years, the financial support provided by the Church in Malta and in more recent years by the State through Public Social Partnerships has enabled Fondazzjoni Sebħ to evolve from institutionalised care to a more personalised environment. Nowadays, the children live in small groups and apartments intended to provide a family environment.