Hope is alive and reasonably well, and is living at Inspire, among other places. The foundation gets its name from the inclusive services and programmes of Razzett tal-Ħbiberija and Eden. It is the current result of visions which shone around 20 years ago, and continue to do so today.
Razzett was set up through the philanthropy of Paddy and Janatha Stubbs, who dreamed of establishing a centre where people with disabilities could receive therapy and attention on a personal basis. Paddy passed away some years ago, but the dream lives on, determinedly and selflessly nourished by his wife.
The Eden Foundation was created by Josie Muscat, a doctor and former Member of Parliament. Inspired by personal adversity, he set about building an institution for those whom I call children with a difference, but are more commonly known as disabled. That inspiration too lives on, although Muscat is no longer part of the operation.
Some time back the two foundations decided to merge resources. They did so by making their separate assets available jointly to Inspire, set up for the purpose of acquiring and managing them without duplication and by exploiting the available synergy.
It is an understatement to say that the merger was not universally popular. Some founders and parents of disabled children vehemently disagreed with it. Those involved persevered and the experiment seems to be working well, with quite a few of the initial opponents now among those who praise the outcome.
As with its predecessors, Inspire operates on a three-legged structure to cover its annual outlay of over €3 million, required to work towards a more inclusive society by helping challenged individuals fulfil their potential through a careful mix of education programmes, adult programmes and therapies.
The government largely, though not fully, finances the education programmes, sending children to the Inspire foundation after a careful screening process called statementing. The foundation charges for some of the services it gives, mostly to adults in need of therapy.
Fundraising is the third main source of financing. Lesser sources include nominal payments by some of the parents, equivalent to around one fifth of the true cost of supplying the foundation's services, as well as EU funding, which tends to be restricted to offspring of the registered unemployed.
The foundation leads a precarious life, since fundraising cannot give a definite yield, notwithstanding the kindheartedness of the Maltese people and various corporate bodies. This offers a particular challenge regarding unfunded programmes, mostly for what can be termed as partial social cases.
Recently, Inspire invited me to be president of the Board of Trustees. I gladly accepted the honour, although I fear I have little to give besides being fairly good at chairing meetings and discussions. In that role last Wednesday, I was present at the foundation's buildings for visits by opposition leader Joseph Muscat, in the morning, and President George Abela in the afternoon.
That the two visits coincided was pure coincidence. There was nothing political about them. The two personalities were given a first-hand exposition by the Inspire staff of the services provided by the foundation, which benefit individuals, some of whom would have nowhere to go if their relevant programmes were discontinued.
They should not go that way. There needs to be a critical review of how the foundation can be of greater assistance without duplicating services provided by the government and by other similar organisations, while retaining its character as a non-government organisation which is at least partly funded through the generosity of the big-hearted Maltese public.
Towards that end fundraising efforts will continue. They include a telethon which is being organised by Inspire between 4 and 11 p.m. today at Razzett tal-Ħbiberija, inviting those who wish to contribute to do so by phoning in donations by calling 5004 9093 (to donate €10), 5004 9095 (€15), or 5004 9090 (€25). What should inspire you to help? Solidarity, yes, but also appreciation for the work done by the foundation.
One example: I stopped to talk to a mother whose son was receiving therapy on a one-to-one basis. He (the therapist) is a saint, she told me. "His heart beats for my son. That is not always the case, not everybody understands. Some people tell me to face reality. I do. My reality is my son, and the help he gets here."
The disabled are part of the reality of all of us. Some ask: "Why, why does our loving God let that happen?" I confess to often not understanding our mysterious God, to whom I humbly say: "I do believe, help thou my unbelief".
But I think I have one answer to this question. It is, to enable love to grow beyond imagination.
For there is no greater love than that by the parents of offspring born with some small or great difference. To them they are not disabled. They are the heart of their hearts.