Eden founder against merger with Razzett

The proposed merger between Eden Foundation and Razzett tal-Ħbiberija seems to have struck a brick wall as Eden's founder Josie Muscat attempts to block the move.

"We want Eden to retain its identity and regain its lost glory. There is no need for a merger. I am full force against it," Dr Muscat said on the eve of tonight's meeting for parents.

Appointed chairman of an ad hoc committee set up to stop the merger, Dr Muscat will be addressing parents who, he believes, have been left in the dark on the joint venture between the two non-profit charities for disabled children.

The idea for a merger was raised in August and the two sides began exploring the possibility of coming together because they shared similar principles and ideals in the provision of services to the same 350 clients. Eden provides education to children with learning difficulties while Razzett focuses on their therapeutic well-being.

On November 10, auditors Deloitte and Touche and two law firms presented reports explaining the legal and financial implications to the trustees of both charities. They had one week to decide on the future.

Sources told The Times the reports established there were no reasons impeding the merger from a financial or legal perspective. It was concluded that the services would be enhanced through inclusive assessment and an increased range of services.

The reports establish that coming together would also lead to financial stability through cost savings and opportunities for growth while providing an enhanced quality of life for the people the charities cared for.

There is even a proposal to name the new organisation Inspire - Inclusive Services Promoting Independence at Razzett and Eden.

Razzett trustees have already made up their mind in favour of joining forces but Eden's board of six members remain split: three are in favour, two are asking for more time and the third, the Archbishop's representative, looks like he will have the casting vote.

Philip Rizzo, Eden's board of trustees' executive secretary, said a meeting to take a decision was scheduled for Tuesday but he suspected this would be postponed.

"A vote has to be taken before Razzett get cold feet and change their mind. I hope Tuesday's meeting is held and we don't get lost in games. I'm eager to vote at this stage. Either way we need to decide," he said.

"I have not heard one argument where children will be worse off through this merger," he added.

Bro. Martin Borg, Eden's board president, confirmed that a letter had been sent to the trustees asking for more time to chew on the voluminous reports presented by the lawyers and the auditors. However, the letter does not specify how long they needed to reach a decision.

"There are a lot of things we need to go through. In my opinion there's no hurry," he said.

In the meantime, Razzett remains in suspended animation and chief executive Nathan Farrugia said he had not received any feedback from Eden, even though it had been suggested that an answer was needed within a week.

"Eden needs to take a decision either way. The experts have suggested that everyone who matters stands to gain; that is most of the staff, the parents, and, more importantly, children and adults with disabilities," he said.

Mr Farrugia stressed that, in such times of global financial distress, the value of pooling resources would ensure the long-term survival of the two entities.

"Today, Eden is at the mercy of government funding and the property leased to it by the government and we are at the mercy of the disposable income Maltese families have available to give to charities like Razzett," he added.

Mr Rizzo said the feedback he had received from parents had been overwhelmingly positive and there was anxiety about the way the goal posts were being shifted.

He referred to the letter, which also proposed leaving the verdict to the parents, and pointed out that the decision lay with the trustees, and the majority of people on the board were parents.

However, this was contested by Dr Muscat who stressed "the power" was in the hands of parents and if their voice was ignored it would not be in the spirit of the statute.

The proposed venture has even been raised in Parliament by Labour MP Evarist Bartolo who called on the government and the Church to help forge the merger.