The Justice Commitment Group within the Chaplaincy at University is offering University staff and students the possibility of lending a hand by spending some of the summer hours in voluntary work. This can be done through teaching basic English and Maltese in a literacy programme for children and adults on a one-to-one basis, at the Paulo Freire Institute (PFI) in Zejtun.

The PFI was established by the Jesuits to promote literacy and community development.

The second option is to accompany and help the homeless people at the two centres set up by the Suret il-Bniedem Foundation (SIB), namely, at Valletta - for women and children, and Gzira - for men and boys. This is an initiative of the Maltese Capuchin Province to help homeless persons to re-establish themselves within society.

Society benefits from such initiatives that empower people facing social problems to contribute to the common good, whilst preventing social unrest, crime and criminal activity from taking root. The teaching initiative will take place on Mondays and Thursdays in the five weeks from August 16.

As for those who are interested in helping the homeless, they can choose their own time and days on condition that they do not fail their promises.

Anyone interested could write to Justice Commitment Group or to the Chaplaincy on tel: 2340 2341 or e-mail chaplaincy@um.edu.mt.