Eden Foundation launches SOS to plug Lm125,000 hole

It is a classic case of 'swim or sink' at the Eden Foundation, which has just launched 'SOS Eden' to desperately try to plug a hole in its finances.

Running at an "unsustainable" daily loss of Lm500, the foundation ended last year with a Lm125,000 deficit in its accounts.

The foundation provides education and support services to 343 students with learning disabilities, but has become a victim of its own success with more and more people approaching it for help every year. It already has 50 on its ever-growing waiting list. The foundation's policy is not to turn a child away even if parents cannot afford any contributions.

It employs 150 staff, including psychologists, tutors, speech and language pathologists, physiotherapists and occupational therapists. Salaries and wages comprise 89 per cent of the foundation's expenses but it only recoups 15 per cent from fees, relying on fund-raising and subsidies for the shortfall.

There are three schemes that individuals, families, groups and businesses can use to contribute to the SOS Eden campaign. Prospective donors are invited to visit the Website www.soseden.com or call 2189-0000 to find out how they can contribute.

In the 'Pay for a day' scheme, members of the public are being invited to donate Lm500 to keep the foundation afloat for a further day.

For businesses able to contribute more, there is a 'Pay for a day plus' scheme whereby, in addition to paying for a day or more, they can publicly sponsor a portion of the appeal's media marketing campaign and advertising expenses.

The names of the individuals or companies contributing to these two schemes will, if they wish, appear on the SOS Eden Website and its monthly newspaper advert. Marketing bursts are planned for this month, May and September, and possibly a final one at the end of the year.

The last scheme involves buying online via the SOS Eden Website, on behalf of a friend, family member or loved one, a gift for a child or young adult benefiting from the foundation's services.

There is a range of ten gifts to choose from, such as Lm4 for a child's toy, Lm6 for a healing/creative arts session, Lm15 for an educational toy, or Lm21 to cover the cost of a tutor for one day.

When the donor purchases a gift, the foundation will post to the donor's friend, family member or loved one a beautifully illustrated card with a personalised message of the donor's choice.

The Eden Foundation is a non-governmental, non-profit charitable organisation set up in 1992. Its aim is to provide partnership to Maltese and Gozitans with learning disabilities to help them achieve full inclusion to the best of their abilities by gaining access to mainstream education, employment and leisure activities, leading them to an independent life.