Marsascala mayor returns to poor Peruvian village
The mayor of Marsacala, Mario Calleja, is in Peru where he will visit the poverty-stricken village of La Tomilla, in Arequipa.
The village church is run by the young energetic Gozitan missionary, Fr Govanni Cefai.
Before he decided to contest the local council elections four years ago, Mr Calleja spent two months in the Peruvian village. He had helped Fr Cefai build a small school for 50 students coming from poor families in La Tomilla. A caterer by trade and a former general manager of a Hotel, Mr Calleja had to employ all his kitchen skills to cook and feed 5O students a day.
"That was the most satisfying time of my life," Mr Calleja says.
Returning to Malta after that experience, Mr Calleja says he felt it was his mission to help Fr Cefai. When he was elected mayor he held a number of events to raise money which he sent to Fr Cefai.
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech met Mr Calleja and thanked him for what he is doing for the Gozitan priest in Peru.
In Peru, Mr Calleja is accompanied by Joe Micallef, an activist of the St Anne Band Club of Marsascala.
In Mr Calleja's absence, deputy mayor Charlot Mifsud has assumed the mayor's responsibilities.
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M. Galea
Nov 6th 2009, 17:32
@ S. Fenech. 'Min jitwieled tond ma jmutx kwadru'. I am all for charity but using the sufferings of these poor people and above all the goodness of the church for one's interest is beyond conception. Please look up the letter mentioned in my previous comment, ‘The looming crises’, and for sure you will be flabbergasted.
s. fenech
Nov 6th 2009, 11:19
I wish I could send you some pictures I just received from Peru from Fr. Cefai. When I read the article yesterday, my thought was like most of the commenters hereunder. But when I saw the pictures, I changed my mind. The state of poverty of these people is sad. Publicity stand or not, fact still remains that these people are really in need and I praise that person who went to help them knowing that people (like me at first) point fingers at him!
Chi non ha peccato, scagli la prima pietra!
M. Azzoppardi
Nov 6th 2009, 08:53
Yes Mr. Reno Calleja we remenber your biggest achievments in Maltese politics as Minister for tourism. A chip of the old block, no more no less. Interpreting criticism as jealousy is a sign of defeat. As they say truth hurts.
M. Galea
Nov 6th 2009, 08:32
Mr. Reno Calleja we are deeply touched by your contribution but like Mr. J. Martinelli It seems that both of you have dismissed the recent letter in the Times, ‘Work in Peru mission 17/10/09, whose author was Mr. Mario Calleja himself, bragging about his mission in Peru. People of good heart do good deeds all the time but they do not splash them in newspapers and news bulletins. Yes I agree with Alfred Pace it’s all propaganda for his portfolio for the forth coming general election. I suggest to both R. Calleja and Martinelli to read the atrocious letter by Mayor Calleja entitled, ‘The looming crises’ published in the Times on July 24, 2006, against the poor illegal immigrants, also look up the MaltaToday of 10th September 2006 what Matthew Vella reported about this racist letter. This is the same Mayor who wants us to forget his past. Mr. Reno unfortunately you do not know your nephew very well!
reno calleja
Nov 6th 2009, 08:11
I feel a bit embarrassed to defend my nephew, the hardoworking and energetic mayor who is my nephew.
It is only recently that I learned that he spent two months working in very difficult conditions with the poor people of that village in Peru.
I learned about it from a priest who admires Mario's dedication and love for these poor children. Are those ungrateful readers who seem to doubt Mario's intentions , aware that every year he collects thousands of euros to give to Father Cefai?
In the early seventies, when I decided to go into politics myself, I went almost crying on the shoulder of my late father.
I could not stand the jelousy, the lies, the ingratidute, the stabbing in the back, the viciousness of political rivals even from the same party.
My father councelld me.
'Son, he told me. Gratitude in politics is a negliglbe quatnity. But it is better that people are
jelous of you than pity you.
Keep up the good work Mario.
J. Cachia
Nov 5th 2009, 13:57
A suggestion to Mayor Mario Calleja, for the next election, whether general or local. Do not spend so much money on election campaign, lavish magazines and grand receptions. Inform the constituents that instead the money will be sent to the poor of Peru. I am convinced that they would appreciate more your kind gesture. After all it will be a very good publicity and a good piece of marketing.
J Martinelli
Nov 5th 2009, 13:10
@ Alfred Pace
Before engaging the Caps Lock on your keyboard, did you ever consider the following?:
Mr. Calleja may NOT have requested publicity but the information passed on to the Times by a third party.
Even if Mr. Calleja sought publicity, it certainly was not to pat himself on the back but rather to seek others willing to send a few euros for a most worthwhile cause.
Why not join the other generous donors and do the poor in La Tomilla, some good!?
If Mr. Calleja was seeking some recognition for his good work, he certainly did not get it from you!
Paul Schembri
Nov 5th 2009, 11:42
You live and learn. I never knew that Mr. Mario Calleja, Mayor of Marsaskala Local Council was a caterer by profession. I always had the impression that he served in the Malta Police Force for 21 years from where he resigned. Being a caterer is good news for I am sure that he will give a helping hand in food activities both for the Local Council and the Marsaskala Parish Church.
Alfred Pace
Nov 5th 2009, 09:25
ANOTHER PUBLICITY STAND.. IF YOU WANT TO DO SOMETHING GOOD DO IT , YOU DO NOT NEED TO BOAST ABOUT IT ON LOCAL PAPERS.