Help build a centre for hearing-impaired in Brazil

Aracatuba is a middle sized city in the eastern region of the state of São Paulo in Brazil. It is thought that there are at least 140 hearing-impaired people in Aracatuba alone. The city's parish priest, who is also vicar-general of the diocese, is Fr Charles Borg, who hails from Gzira.

Fr Borg, together with some volunteers have been seeing to the needs of these people for the last eight years, in far from ideal conditions. Some years ago they had built a small centre for the hearing-impaired, but this building has to be demolished by the end of 2008, because of some bureaucratic technicalities.

Fr Borg intends to build a centre in a small plot next to the chapel of St Joseph in Aracatuba. At the moment, all activities are being held inside the church, including the training of new helpers.

The parish can sponsor a supervisor with a donation of Lm35 (€81.53) per month, including transport. Technical support and instruments are provided by the helpers themselves. This project is estimated to cost about Lm10.000 (€23,293), excluding modern equipment which is quite expensive in Brazil.

The following establishments have already offered to help in this project by keeping a collection box near the cash points in their outlets: Tower Supermarket and TGI Friday, Sliema; Greens Supermarket and Greens Greengrocer, Ta' l-Ibrag, V. & F. Portelli, Mriehel; Beauty Team, Mosta; Lister Pharmacy and Elia Borg Bonaci, Hamrun; Smart Supermarket, Balzan; Saracino Café, Attard; Soreda Hotel, Qawra; Burger King, Sliema, Valletta and Paceville; Pizza Hut, Sliema, Valletta, Bugibba and St Julian's; and Kentucky Fried Chicken, Gzira.

Two bank accounts have been opened for those wishing to make a donation - Bank of Valletta 40016361081 and HSBC 027012483050.

To make any other contribution, contact Malcolm Vella Haber on 9945-8120.