The Minister for Gozo Justyne Caruana has made a courtesy visit to the Arka Foundation in Ghajnsielem.

The Minister met with members of the Foundation’s management board and discussed various issues related to the Foundation.

The Arka Foundation was established as a non-governmental organisation in 1999 and offers various services by qualified persons in the disability sector, these include therapeutic pools and multi-sensory rooms.

The Foundation said that it intends to further expand its operations in the sector of people with disabilities.
Dar il-Gublew tal-Hniena in Ghajnsielem was inaugurated at the end of last year – it is a community residence accommodating 5 people with disability – and a joint project in partnership between the Arka Foundation, and the Government through an investment of around € 350,000.

Since this inauguration, the Foundation has also entered into an agreement to acquire another premises in the same area as Dar il-Gublew tal-Hniena, helping to cut down on logistical problems and ensure that attention is concentrated in one particular locality, the Foundation said.

Minister Caruana met with some of the residents of Dar il-Gublew tal-Hniena, and expressed her satisfaction that the home had achieved its ultimate goal – of improving the quality of life of those that use this service.
Dr Caruana stressed the importance of the inclusion of disabled persons in society, including through broader participation and active citizenship.

She concluded by saying that “the Ministry is committed to embracing the principles of the National Policy on the Rights of Persons with Disability, by its implementation and in accordance with the recommendations in the National Disability Strategy.”

Photographs: MGOZ/George Scerri

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