Malta's mission to Africa

A 13-metre container will soon been shipped off to Tanzania, Africa, by Rotaract Malta La Valette, in conjunction with Mission Fund Malta, to help a Maltese missionary build a school for around 700 children.

The container has been packed with tools, generators and other equipment to help construct the building - as well as food, medicines, stationery, clothes, toys... you name it.

The school is being built for orphans whose parents have died of Aids, and for children who are suffering from HIV themselves, explained Rotaract Malta La Valette's president Steve Spiteri.

It is the dream of Maltese missionary Sr Domenic Ciliberti, who has been working in Tanzania for years.

Designed in a way to separate the children suffering from HIV from those who are not, its foundations are already in place, Mr Spiteri said.

Rotaract Malta La Valette, a voluntary Rotary-sponsored service club which undertakes philanthropic work, was planning to send the container when Mission Fund Malta offered to join forces.

Rotaract jumped at the idea and has donated €4,000 (Lm1,717) worth of items for the container, which it raised through donations.

The club for 18 to 30 year olds is also working on the St Patrick's launch pad project, whereby it is refurbishing four rooms to provide 16 year olds with a semi-independent unit to fill in the gap in their lives before moving out into the real world.