Eden and Razzett consider merger

Eden Foundation and Razzett tal-Ħbiberija yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the potential of merging for the benefit of disabled children, The Times has learned.

However, the MOU, pushed forward by three of the five members of Eden's board of trustees without the consent of its president, Bro. Martin Borg, has irked founder Josie Muscat who believes it betrays all that Eden stands for.

"When I left Eden in the hands of the board of trustees I didn't do so for them to sell its soul but to push it forward and inject new ideas," Dr Muscat said when contacted.

Dr Muscat stepped down from his post as president of Eden - a non-profit charity he set up 14 years ago to help persons with disabilities - last year since politics and his position with Azzjoni Nazzjonali were not compatible with the foundation's statute.

"It pains me to hear about the proposed merger. The three people who voted for this are traitors... They are betraying all the work we did," he said, adding that he did not believe Eden and Razzett were compatible.

Philip Rizzo, the board of trustees' executive secretary, begged to differ and believed the two entities had common goals and common clients and they could work together for the well-being of disabled children.

"Eden provides the education to children with learning difficulties, while Razzett focuses on their therapeutic well-being, so I believe it's a good idea to study whether coming together makes sense," he said.

Mr Rizzo said that on Thursday a resolution was passed during a board meeting recommending that "As Eden and Razzett share similar principles and ideals in the provision of services to disabled persons, it may be that there is substantial potential in uniting the efforts and synergies of both organisations".

It continued: "Both parties should proceed to enter into a MOU and set up a working group to oversee all the aspects of any such exercise".

Mr Rizzo said the resolution was put to the vote of the board and the majority - three of the five members, who are parents of disabled children - voted in favour, while the other two, including Bro. Martin, walked out of the meeting.

Bro. Martin preferred not to comment in the light of the divergences between the members on the board of trustees.

In the meantime, the board proceeded to sign the MOU yesterday because Eden's statute says that where a consensus cannot be reached, the matter should be put to a vote.

"We are not looking for personal glory. We're doing this for the good of the children. We have a ridiculous situation today where Eden goes to the government asking for funds and then Razzett does the same thing. Why compete when we provide our services to the same clients?" Mr Rizzo asked.

"Why do we need to appoint an expensive CEO and administration when we can share these resources and spend the money on the children instead of competing against each other to raise funds?"

Ironically, in The Times yesterday, Education Minister Dolores Cristina wrote a piece on the importance of voluntary organisations working in the same field to pool their resources, which would, among others, help eradicate turf wars to the detriment of beneficiaries.

"Why can't we work together? This should not be about Josie or Janatha (Stubbs, Razzett's co-founder) defending their turf, it's about putting all the resources of both NGOs to the best use for the youngsters who need our help," Mr Rizzo stressed.

Contrary to Dr Muscat, Ms Stubbs, who co-founded Razzett with her husband Paddy in 1989, believes Eden's suggestion for the two entities to come together was a good idea.

"My husband's philosophy was to give these people a sense of achievement and if something comes out of this idea then I welcome it," she said.

Nathan Farrugia, Razzett's CEO, said he was approached by Eden with the proposal to merge and he felt it was an idea worth exploring.

"We are looking at pushing the strengths of both NGOs - from the educational and therapeutic perspective - to become a stronger, more holistic entity; a sort of one-stop-shop for disabled persons," he said.

Mr Farrugia called for objectivity to prevail and said the common goal for both organisations was to help disabled persons.

"Ultimately, any future decisions will only be taken by the foundations if they are in the best interests of the people we are here to help."