Students attending the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, MCAST, Gozo, this morning held their annual voluntary day in many various locations around Gozo. Wirt Ghawdex was again included in their activities and over 50 students volunteered to do maintenance work at two of its heritage sites. Some of the students were assigned to join other Wirt Ghawdex volunteers to clean up the wash house at Ghajn Tuta (Kercem). This site was picked by Wirt Ghawdex as part of its 30th anniversary activities with the support of the Kercem Local Council.

Mgarr ix-Xini Tower

A group of 20 students, along with 2 of their lecturers, rolled up their sleeves and did several hours of maintenance work that is required every year.

Large areas of grass were cut, raked and cleared while doors, windows, stair railings and even the drawbridge were sanded, cleaned and re-painted.

Cittadella sites – Gunpowder Magazine, Battery, Silos and WWII sheltersAnother 14 students and 2 lecturers started their day sweeping, and clearing weeds at this site. They spent the remaining time sanding and preparing a large variety of items for painting.

They managed to re-paint all doors, gates, cannons, carriages and even cannon balls.

Ghajn Tuta Wash HouseOne last group of 13 students accompanied by 2 lecturers made their way to the location and was greeted by the Wirt Ghawdex volunteers. After being given instructions of what weeds can be removed and how to separate the rubbish they collected, they cleared the area of discarded rubbish and invasive weeds.

They also removed a large amount of prickly pear shrubs which were weighing down the roof. This cleaning resulted in 17 bags of rubbish and garden waste being removed from the site. Kercem Council supplied the garbage bags and organized its collection after the activity.

For many of these students, this was their first voluntary experience and many of them commented on how they never knew how much work was needed to keep the heritage sites maintained. Others voiced their concerns of why so much rubbish is strewn around the island’s roads and countryside and all of them very willingly worked hard throughout the activity.

At each location, the students and lecturers were met by Wirt Ghawdex volunteers and were given a brief history of the society and the sites they look after.

The mayor of Kercem, Mr. Joe Grima, also paid an unexpected visit to the Ghajn Tuta location to thank the volunteers for their worthwhile efforts.

This event was another opportunity to make young people aware of their heritage, what Wirt Ghawdex stands for and how important volunteer work is. It is particularly satisfying for Wirt Ghawdex when several of these young students actually want to become regular volunteers with the society.

Permalink: MCAST students’ do voluntary work in locations around Gozo