Juan Ameen
Lift conjured up from remains of Magic Kiosk
The magic of the Sliema kiosk has transformed the former unsightly restaurant's turquoise aluminium structure into a three-storey lift in Paola.
The aluminium and glass collected after the controversial kiosk was dismantled in February was used to create a lift for an apartment block housing people with an intellectual disability.
Ronald Galea, the administrator of voluntary organisation Fondazzjoni Wens, came up with the ingenious idea of reusing the aluminium and glass in the block.
"I scour the newspapers very carefully to see where I can find items that can be useful for our organisation," he said.
Instead of asking for financial donations, Mr Galea prefers asking companies and organisations to donate particular items, such as furniture or bathroom tiles.
When the dismantling of Magic Kiosk hit the news, a light bulb went on in Mr Galea's head. The organisation is preparing three apartments in a block in Paola to house people with an intellectual disability.
The block had to be made more accessible for its tenants, which includes fitting and setting up a lift. "When I heard about Magic Kiosk, it clicked," Mr Galea said.
Even though the aluminium and glass should have been auctioned, together with the other confiscated items, Mr Galea made a few requests and was given permission by the government to use the items.
Using the glass and aluminium saved the foundation around €9,000, he said. The apartments will be completed in about six months and offer a home to nine people.
The controversial turquoise building was dismantled in February after eviction notices were issued following the expiry of the lease. The square was recently embellished into an open space with two fountains - a project that cost €250,000.
"I believe asking for items or the material is better than asking for money as people know how the items will be used," Mr Galea said.
And asking gets him places. Recently he needed to replace the engine of a coach used by the foundation. Instead of buying a new engine, he took the coach to Mcast where the students changed it.
"It was a win-win situation - the students got work experience while the coach got a new engine," he said.
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Oswald tanti
Aug 8th 2009, 17:27
First of all I wish to join the many bloggers in their praise and admiration at such a wonderful recyling exercise. Prosit tassew to Mr Galea and all those that helped in realising this useful project.
Secondy I think it is up to WASTE SERVE to invite people like Mr R. Galea and possibly representatives from the many NGO's whose dedicated volunteers are always on the look out for items that could easily be recycled and put to good use in homes of needy families.
Very often surplus items are dumped when still in good condition. It is amazing what amounts of money could be saved if one takes the trouble to sort out that which is dumpable material and that which is not. True one has to take into consideration the costs for storage, but if the general public and entrapreneurs are allowed to visit and acquire what could be useful to others, the storage problem could then be solved and the revenue generated would possibly compensate and offset any labour and administrative costs imvolved.
Maybe co-operation between Waste Serve as providers and the Protezzjoni Civili for warehousing, unless this already exists, could be worthwhile considering.
Danika Vella
Aug 8th 2009, 13:54
I would like to congratulate Mr Galea... there is no need to have state-of-the-art (the buzz word of today referring to expensive, showy but not necessarily durable buildings/objects/etc) as long as they serve their purpose well. and from what i see in the picture, the lift is quite beautiful too!
today the focus seems to build things from the new without recycling... but then we need to decrease consumption and save energy. if many more people take a leaf out of Mr Galea's example, i'm sure Malta's depts will decrease and we will have cleaner environments. money saving seems to be a characteristic that many Maltese have lost... unfortunately!
mario aquilina
Aug 8th 2009, 13:19
Well said Mr.Gatt.
I bet you that the person who should be keeping the area clean, sign in, early in the morning and disappear for the rest of the day. Most like to another job on the side for some tax free extra euros.
James De Giorgio
Aug 8th 2009, 13:08
Wow, going by bus to St Julian's daily includes passing next to the square in question and breathing a sigh of relief!
R.Gatt
Aug 8th 2009, 09:10
@mario aquilina
No need to be a genius here......all you need is an overhead canopy attached to the benches.
A perspex/glass one should do just fine and it should be relatively easy to keep clean (if properly maintained).......one could also attach a pair of solar powered car windshield wipers (complete with water srayers) to the canopy. That way it should be able to keep itself clean and drastically lower its cleaning maintenance.
A Cardona
Aug 8th 2009, 00:04
Well done Mr.Galea! That is great thinking.
You reminded me of McGyver.... hope your example will lead others to follow.
Joe Fenech
Aug 7th 2009, 20:37
The magic of the Sliema kiosk has transformed the former unsightly restaurant's turquoise aluminium structure into a three-storey lift in Paola.: If the turquoise aluminium structure shocked you, then dear boy, you need to go round the island!!!!! Plus, if you're an architecture enthusiast, up the road you have a historical building that's been transformed into a restaurant of a famous chain.
Mark Naudi
Aug 7th 2009, 19:39
@ Tonna J.
Everything is connected when talking about humans Tonna J. I don't know if Alison Bezzina is pretending but I surely am not.... I honestly don't know what the church is doing to help these people.... I mean compared to its riches..... no one should be out asking for charity for what is rightfully theirs.... if they sold the contents of the churches blessed by the pope himself there would be enough to go around for everyone.
As for Valletta.....truly unconnected as you said...but the point is....we should be able to live without it...but we shouldn't be able to live knowing that people in need are still in need and spend millions to embelish anything!
Pule' Carmel
Aug 7th 2009, 17:07
Prosit Mr Ronald Galea. It does not mean that it was easy, so once again my congratulations for the idea and the sweat that went with it, both mentally and physically.
mario aquilina
Aug 7th 2009, 13:47
Can Ronald Galea come up with another ingenious idea, on how to keep the benches that where placed instead of the Magic Kiosk clean.
On Wednesday, I was in the new Magic Kiosk square, and I couldn't find enough clean space on those new benches to rest my bum. There was pigeon droppings all over the place.
Yes, I prefer the square to the kiosk, and it does look nice, but how about keeping it clean for us all to enjoy. Or is it back to square one, where nothing lasts in this two inch square of an island.
Tonna J.
Aug 7th 2009, 11:28
@ Alison Bezzina - Qed thawwad haga m'ohra.
What has the capital city's entrance to do with what Ronald did??
Also, are you one of those who (pretend) not to know what our church is doing for these people?? What do you mean by 'holy brick??
Jason Borg
Aug 7th 2009, 11:19
Nice one !!
mario farrugia
Aug 7th 2009, 08:52
prosit
Alison Bezzina
Aug 7th 2009, 08:49
Great idea but how said is it that we're going to embellish our capital city's entrance at the cost of millions just so that it looks nicer whislt these people who cannot help themselves have to depend on charity for basic requirements..... what world do we live in....where are our priorities? AND If the church sold a 'holy' brick a day they could finance all these homes without effort!!!
Joseph Portelli
Aug 7th 2009, 08:43
Having a few of Mr. Galea, Malta will save millions of Euros. Keep it up Ronald.
Jason Bugeja
Aug 7th 2009, 07:30
Its a magic lift now. Very Good well done
Denis Catania
Aug 6th 2009, 16:35
Great idea, I hope it's safe.
Tonna J.
Aug 6th 2009, 15:57
WELL DONE RONALD, A VERY DEDICATED PERSON INDEED.
This reminds me when some 20 years ago we bought a spindrier with a metallic body. Only some time afterwards its body began to rust, so we had to think about buying another one. This time we opted for an all plastic one. But, this time, its motor stopped after a very short time. Asking the agent for another motor he did not have. So, with a little adjustment, I transferred the motor of the metallic spindrier to the plastic one. It is still working for all.
these years. Also, as I am fond of woodworing (mostly as a hobby) I always look for second hand wood when I intend to do something new. Besides saving money, I also have already dried wood.
That is the way to recycle, instead of throwing away unused goods.
smifsud
Aug 6th 2009, 15:19
Spot on Mr Galea.....maybe you can create something more from this were people can donate reusable refuse to other organizations throughout the island from a recycling reuse depot for charity donations and what ever people can donate ...it will be a lot cheaper still then buying new ...this will get everyone involved and there would be less junk in our country roads and fields and ravines .
James Mizzi
Aug 6th 2009, 13:55
Thumbs for Ronald Galea!
Excellent example of reuse. A lesson to all!
O. Sant' Angelo
Aug 6th 2009, 13:12
Prosit Mr. Galea
Joanne Micallef
Aug 6th 2009, 12:50
Wow so it is true after all, were there is the will there is a way.
Michelle Vigar
Aug 6th 2009, 11:23
Well done Ronald! All your precious work is to be commended. It was great to read such an inspiring piece of news the the 'paper this morning.
Paul Vella
Aug 6th 2009, 10:59
I admire you beyond words Mr.Galea! You're extremely creative, how I wish to be like that in my life. How did you see a kiosk being transformed into a lift? How did you see the possibility? These are the kind of people who are very rare which makes them all the more precious.
Keep up the good work and may God help you to find more ideas of this kind in the future. We are longing to get more people like you in our society.
Anna Marie Navarro
Aug 6th 2009, 10:31
Ingenoius indeed to alleviate the hardship of people with disability with something so controversal. The sterling work by Mr Ronald Galea and other members of the public working with people less fortunate ought to be recognised.
odette longo
Aug 6th 2009, 10:30
that's brilliant !
full marks to whoever came up with the idea.
more of the same initiatives pls !
ms g hoare
Aug 6th 2009, 10:21
NOW THAT IS WHAT I CALL RECYCLING
IT IS SHAME THAT THERE IS SO MUCH WASTE IN MALTA, LAST TIME I WAS AT MRIEHEL RECYCLING SITE I AS KED IF I CAN TAKE BITS OF WOOD THAT I COULD USE TO PRACTIS ON , I WAS REFUSED AS IT IS THE POLICY ,I WOULD UNDERSTOOD IF I WAS ASKING FOR A ELECTRICAL STUFF AS THIS COULD HAVE BEING DANGER TO THE ENVIORMENT . I LIKE TO ASK WHAT HAPPENENS TO ALL THE STUFF THAT ENTERS THE RECYCLING SITES..
v.pulis
Aug 6th 2009, 10:05
It really is a magic kiosk!! it transferred itself into a lift!!