DOWN Syndrome Awareness Week was celebrated by the Parents and Child Education Services (PACES) at the Eden Foundation with the participation and support of the Down Syndrome Association - Malta, between November 4 and 11.
A bookmark giving information about the syndrome was distributed all over Malta and Gozo.
The week started off when various members, their families and tutors called on Mrs Fenech Adami at San Anton Palace.
Information about Down Syndrome, a photo album of the children and a piece of artwork from PACES' Creative Arts Department was presented to the President's wife. Simultaneously, a group of families, members of the Gozo branch, together with Grace Galea, Gozo co-ordinator, were received by Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono.
Sunday, November 6, was a full day of activities organised at San Andrea School, L- Imselliet. Seven teams participated in a seven-a-side football tournament which kicked off at 10 a.m. and finished at 5 p.m. The tournament was won by Barbados FC and New Team were runners-up. Stephen Briffa and Kevin Zammit helped to organise the tournament; San Andrea Senior School gave its full support. PACES is grateful to students who gave up their free time to come and raise funds through a car wash held at San Andrea School premises.
The creative arts departments at the Eden Foundation supplied tokens which were given to the referees who offered their services voluntarily.
PACES is also grateful to Philip Gatt, for his constant help and support, JM Vending Services who supply San Andrea Senior School canteen, who gave us their services for the event and the sponsors - Farsons, Gold Lady of Zejtun and Fontanella Tea Gardens, Mdina.
On the same day the staff at PACES together with the Giles family helped set up a car boot sale.
On November 9, Dr Sharon Vella Camilleri, the programme psychologist, and Rosette Gatt, the programme co-ordinator, gave a talk to the grandparents of children with Down Syndrome.
The week ended with a buffet dinner at the Qawra Palace Hotel, hosted by Edward Vella and his staff.