The Vodafone Malta Foundation – Vodafone’s non-profit arm that supports initiatives contributing towards social change – has allocated funds for a brand new Sensory and Relaxation room for the children at the residential home of Fra Diego.

A room within the home has been turned into an exciting place for the children – a relaxation room with special equipment that gives them sensory experiences and time to relax in their free time. The room is now equipped with an active bubble column, a solar projector, a mirror ball set, a vibrating chair, a bean bag, an aroma sound spa, a resonance relaxer and floor mats, among other props.

Sr Josephine Xuereb, Mother Superior at Fra Diego said, “Our community of dedicated Franciscan Sisters perseveres in the commitment to promote the welfare and social well-being of the children entrusted in our care. For this reason the need was felt for a relaxation room that would give the children some physical and mental rest and would complement the therapeutic programme that they are all undergoing. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the persons behind the Vodafone Malta Foundation for listening to our appeal and for helping us complete this project.”

Gemma Mifsud Bonnici, Chairperson of the Vodafone Malta Foundation said: “We recognise the indispensible service that the Home is extending to children who are experiencing some form of deprivation or abuse and who, as a consequence are exposed to the risk of various aspects of poverty and social exclusion. We are hopeful that with our funds, this project will offer the children some moments of respite in their troubled lives.”

Fra Diego Home welcomes children coming from families with a diverse range of needs or those who have passed through some kind of abuse, experienced domestic violence and have been exposed to situations where the parents have mental problems and disorders. The Home currently houses 20 children in two flats, each of which managed by a nun and a lay carer. The Home also runs a Day Care Centre which caters for 12 children aged between 1 and 10 years. Moreover the Home continues to host 10 elderly women who have been in care since their childhood.

Throughout the years the Home has remained sensitive to changing social realities and has thus regularly adapted its role to address emerging needs and to be of service to the most needy and vulnerable members of society.

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