Thursday, 6th November 2008

FAA co-founder named Volunteer of the Year

Astrid Vella, one of the founders of the environmental NGO Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar (FAA), won the first Volunteer of the Year Award, presented by SOS Malta.

She was handed a trophy designed by young sculptor Damien Darmanin in a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi.

Dr Gonzi praised the award organisers, saying this was an expression of the value of volunteering. He said Malta had a "treasure" in its great number of volunteers. Ms Vella called for the setting up of a state-funded centre for NGOs, which would save the organisations, expenses on rent that could be better used elsewhere.

SOS Malta also pushed for an NGO centre, especially for those smaller organisations that needed to be assisted.

The selection board for the award was made up of seven young people involved in different aspects of society.

The chairman of the selection board, Alan Deidun, said there had been 11 nominees. The winner was chosen according to the established criteria that were motivation, self-sacrifice, dedication, effectiveness and the value of the activities organised in society.

Ms Vella will now travel to Strasbourg as Malta's nominee for the European Volunteer of the Year Award 2008.

She said her award reflected the importance that needs to be given to the environment. Despite being a volunteer for only two and a half years, together with her organisation, she managed to achieve many results through hard work, research and balanced arguments. The award ceremony was hosted by SOS Malta chairman Lilian Miceli Farrugia in her Ta' Xbiex home.

SOS Malta announced it had just received approval for a €1 million project sponsored by the EU.

The other nominees were Maria Delicata, Maria Annunzot Attard, Doris Cusens, Desiree Falzon, Grace Borg, Gloria Bugeja, Christine Brincat, Kenneth Abela, Jean Paul Fenech and Valerie Agius.

The Nationalist Party congratulated Ms Vella and praised all volunteers who give up their time and energy to non-governmental organisations.

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Article © Allied Newspapers Ltd., printed on Sunday, November 22, 2009. This article is for personal use only, and should not be distributed.

Comments

Joseph V. Grech (on 7/11/08)

Well done Ms. Astrid Vella - and thank you for all the selfless work you have put in for the good of Malta and society. Thanks also to all the other nominees and the hundreds of other people who during the last few years have contributed in different ways towards the realization of our environmental dreams. May the Hon. P.M. and present administration heed the recommendations that were recently collectively presented to the government by FAA, Friends of the Earth (Malta), the Gaia Foundation, the Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, the Ramblers Association of Malta and the Save Wied Garnaw Action Group. These recommendations are grouped in a document ''Towards Sustainable Development Planning in Malta'' which was drawn up by Catherine Polidano on behalf of the NGOs. Society expects that the administration gives this document the importance which is certainly due to it.

lesley Kreupl (on 6/11/08)

Congratulations dearest Astrid. You are such an inspiration to us all!
This is such a well deserved award for you and may you enjoy it to the fullest.
If only a fraction of us cared for Malta as Astrid does - it could really be a precious gem in the Med!

g. scerri (on 6/11/08)

What only two blokes among the nominees? Has good old George P scared them all off or is there something missing here?

Chris Ebejer (on 6/11/08)

My sincere admiration for this brave woman!

suzanne bonello (on 6/11/08)

Prosit Astrid!May God bless you and continue to give you strength to carry on. i , too know you work day and night, in your tireless efforts to save Malta for our children.a heartfelt thanks

Chris Ripard (on 6/11/08)

Prosit, Ast. You finally got your reward.

And if anyone dares to say that Astrid is only a recent convert to environmentalism, I personally saw her clean up a whole campsite totally anonymously and unasked - almost 9 years ago to the day.

Kevin Mulligan (on 6/11/08)

Well done Astrid...truly dereves for all your hard work for Malta's environment!

emanuel bajada (on 6/11/08)

Congratulations to the Mother Theresa of the environment in Malta. Well done Astrid. Thank you for all your hard work, mission if you like, you put in volontarily for the good of all decent citizens of Malta.

Steve Evans (on 6/11/08)

Congratulations Astrid on a very well deserved award, next one should be woman of the year. A tireless woman who strives for the best in the Maltese Islands against some very strong and arrogant opposition. Arise Astrid Vella!!

Paul Buttigieg (on 6/11/08)

CONGRATULATIONS Astrid,

You certainly deserve this award . I know how hard you work day and night (literally).

Since you have started your crusade against the destruction of our natural environment, you have made alot of people aware of what we are losing.

I believe , the Save Gozo protest (where all the ENGO's got together) was a turning point for our environment. At that time, Ta' Cenc, Hondoq ir-Rummien and Ramla l-hamra were the main issues, Alot has been achieved since then however a lot more still needs to be done. From here I appeal to everyone that if we all get together and put enough pressure on the authorities, even by just writing letters on the local papers, we can achieve more.

Thank you .( I know I am saying this on behalf of many people)

FAA co-founder named Volunteer of the Year

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