Thousands of euros for charity
Over €200,000 were donated to charitable organisations by the government to change the quality of life of hundreds living in Africa and South America.
Foreign Affairs Minister Tonio Borg announced that a total of €330,000 were made available, of which €237,200 were yesterday handed out to nine charities out of 34 applicants to fund projects.
The funds, which this year increased by 65 per cent, are given out annually following a call for applications.
Missjoni Ethiopia received €55,000 to build a low-cost housing estate in Ethiopia, where the INYGO Foundation will be buying water desalination equipment using the €25,000 it was given.
Gawad Kalinga was given €24,000 to build houses and a village hall for refugees in Kenya and Happy Movement Kenya will use the €12,000 it received to enlarge an orphanage, replace a water pump and build a nursery school and an internet centre. Kare4Kenya was given €16,000 to build a community centre there.
The Daughters of the Sacred Heart were given €40,000 to build a nursery in Tanzania and a school will be built by Mission Fund, which got €29,000.
The Red Cross were given €24,000 to improve transport, offer accommodation and buy training equipment, first aid kits, manuals, charts, notes, packs and bags in Swaziland.
Finally, Fr Nicholas Schembri, a missionary, was given €12,000 to build a playing field in Peru.
The next call for applications is expected to be made early next year.
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steve elliott,uk
Nov 4th 2009, 19:30
Look, Bob Geldof raised millions in 1984 for African charities with band aid and then again in 2005 with Live 8. Things will never change in these countries. There governments are corrupt thus making the really desperate population more desperate. Foreign aid never seems to reach those in dire need.
lgalea
Nov 4th 2009, 15:43
mario gellel Charles Sammut
You are perfectly correct but we have foreign lackeys as politicians.
Alistair Farrugia
Nov 4th 2009, 11:46
@ Charles Sammut
I beg to differ. Whilst I've never actually done missionary work myself, I'm confident that an anti-contraceptive stance alone cannot be to blame for the problems faced by individuals living in the countries receiving this funding. I think you REALLY went to far.
Secondly, there might be more physical resources there than there are in Malta, but tell me Mr. Sammut, how do you make good use of a country's resources? There exists a thing called GOVERNANCE, and unless good governance is in place, a country's resources will be wasted on munitions and lost to corruption for instance. Third world countries are suffering from incessant wars amongst factions, bad governance and corruption amongst those that should lead the country. Citizens of these countries lack the facilities we take for granted every day. These funds can help give their lives a slightly better chance at making ends meet. I'm sure no one person benefiting from these funds would say this is a waste. As for overpopulation and the spread of disease, you need FUNDS to address these through education.
Finally, what alternatives do you suggest?
mario gellel
Nov 4th 2009, 11:27
ALTHOUGH I HAVE NOTHING AGAINST ANY DONATION GIVEN TO THE POOR ABROAD, I STILL CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE GOVT (WAS,IS) CONSIDERING TO ATTACK THE SINGLE MOTHERS SOCIAL BENFITS. SHOULD NOT CHARITY BEGIN AT HOME FIRST BY HELPING ALL THOSE IN DESPARATE NEED, WHICH ARE ON THE RISE AND THEN SEE IF WE CAN HELP OTHERS??? OR IS THIS A POLITICAL GIMMICK PLAYED BY THE GOVT TO BE SEEN AS A GOOD SAMARITAN??
Charles Sammut
Nov 4th 2009, 10:21
What an utter waste of funds. All these countries have natural resources far richer than our own. Catholic missions bring about more misery through overpopulation and disease because of their anti-contraception stance. I would go as far as to believe that they thrive on misery and therefore promote it.