Children's exhibition focuses on crime prevention

An exhibition of children's essays, paintings and graphic art, focusing on crime prevention, is open at the foyer of the Ministry of Education, in Floriana.

Hundreds of students attending state and private schools submitted their works. The exhibition was organised by Prison Fellowship (Malta) in association with the Education Division and the HSBC Cares for Children Fund.

"The concept behind this exhibition has to do both with prevention and with solidarity extended towards families who have been hit by crime," Education Minister Louis Galea said at the inauguration of the event.

The minister said that solidarity with prisoners and their families was in itself a value that reflected Malta's Christian tradition.

The Malta branch of Prison Fellowship International has a special section, The Angel Tree Club, which promotes activities between prisoners, ex-prisoners, victims of crime and children. Its aims are "to share love and attention to children of prisoners, ex-prisoners and victims of crime".

"Events aim to boost self-confidence in these children whilst showing them the bright side of life," a representative of Prison Fellowship said. "The club aims at offering support to enable these children to grow up into strong adults with the necessary skills to cope with everyday life situations."