Dar Guzeppa Debono ‘Open Day’ to welcome the public through its doors

Dar Guzeppa Debono is opening its doors to the public on Sunday, the 15th of December, between 8.30am and 8.30pm. The aim is to encourage people to find out more information about the services that the Home offers.

“Many still carry the idea that Dar Guzeppa Debono is a residence for unmarried mothers who are turned away from home or who opt to leave home because of pressures from those around,” the Home said.

Since its official opening by the late Bishop Nicholas J. Cauchi on the 8th of December 1985, the mission of the Home has seen an extrordinary development as it read the signs of the times and responded to them with new innovative projects that befit our young generation and families.

The Home added, “single mothers are still with us, they are welcomed by society and do not carry a stigma as it used to be. However, this does not mean that they do not have issues to tackle and unforseen situations to face. So the home is still there for them with a support system of a team of professionals at their service.”

“One of the signs of the times is the urgent need for our secondary teenagers to receive a sound formation as regards healthy relationships, keeping boundaries, understanding the dramatic changes of adoloscence, respecting and understanding their uniqueness and cherish the gift of life,” the Home explained. “So a programme was set up for all students from Form 1 to Form 5; thus as they go from one form to the next they are supported by the service of professional speakers who also address the parents of the students.”

The Home said that this could be achieved through the continuous support of the Gozo College, dedicated heads of schools and teachers, and through the Lwien Project an ESF project funded by the European Union.

All Gozitan Form 5 students attend a one day seminar at the Home. They come in groups of around fifty boys and girls hailing from different schools, and together they follow an interesting programme of discussions and presentations. The theme is the beauty of life.

Another initiative that the Home has launched is that of the spiritual adoption of a child in the womb who is supported by prayers through the nine months.

Those who decide to do this adoption, and the Home said they are many, are supported by the Home by means of a set of cards and activities that one can do during this period.

Parenting skills courses are delivered during the scholastic year staring from those parents whose children are attending the first years to those in Year 6.

Visitors to the ‘Open Day’ will be able to gain information about all these services and more.

A Christmas activity will conclude the tour around Dar Guzeppa Debono. All are very welcome to attend the ‘Open Day.’