Fund-raising activity takes children to Mdina

Over a thousand children aged three to six, from 21 different schools, recently took part in an awareness and fund-raising activity entitled Dawra Durella Madwar L-Imdina, during which they shared a morning of solidarity with other children with disability.

Dawra Durella is another activity organised by Equal Partners Foundation as part of its fund-raising and awareness campaign Partners In Culture, during which schoolchildren are accompanied to places of cultural heritage against a small fee. During the past years, the foundation has organised Partners In Culture in Mdina, Valletta and Vittoriosa.

Dawra Durella consisted of a short walk around Mdina during which children stopped to take part in the activities. The climax was when all 1,000 children met on the main square in front of the Cathedral for an opening ceremony followed by a programme of animation and entertainment.

The walk kicked off at the Greek Gate, with children making their way to St Paul's Square for the opening ceremony. On arriving at the piazza, the children discovered cavalry horses and an exquisite array of police motorcycles. A lot of clapping and hoorays filled the main square as Archbishop Paul Cremona blessed the walk, and together with the Commissioner for Children, gave start to the programme of activities.

This was followed by a short moment of anticipation as The Three Little Pigs and the Wolf from the Curtain Raiser Theatre Troupe appeared on stage. The children got all carried away as they followed through and participated in the animated performance.

During the morning, the children sang along traditional children's songs including Dawra Durella, Ongi Ongi Ongella, Lanca Gejja U Ohra Sejra and Wiehed, Tnejn, Tlieta. Children also enjoyed taking photos with the affable Snow White and the lady on stilts.

During a short break, each child was given a packet of Plasmon biscuits sponsored by Vivian Corporation Ltd and a bottle of Kristal Frutaqua, a beverage launched recently by General Soft Drinks Company Ltd.

Upon resuming their walk, the children took different routes around Mdina. A group of youngsters with intellectual disabilities from Equal Partners together with a group of university students showed the schoolchildren around the Silent City.

Several weeks before the walk, the children were given a sponsoring sheet to collect money from their relatives and friends to sponsor their walk. At the end of Dawra Durella, the children were given printed information about Mdina, which they could discuss with their teachers and family.

FES thanks its main official sponsor, Vivian Corporation Ltd, as well as General Soft Drinks and Bank of Valletta for teaming up with the foundation for another Partners In Culture activity, the Police and St John Ambulance who were present throughout the morning, and the Curtain Raiser Theatre troupe, Genaudio, photographer Gottfried Catania and Enemalta Corporation.