Children and volunteers on summer fun-packed experience

Six years ago Althea Galea decided to join an educational summer club for children from Cottonera after she realised that her sister Melissa, who had participated the previous year, had really enjoyed it.

For the next couple of years, the sisters attended Klabbsajf (summer club) together and spent their summers learning various arts and crafts. Now aged 16 and 17, they have decided to give something back to the club they so enjoyed and enlisted themselves as volunteers to help children from their locality.

"Throughout the years I spent there as a student I learnt many things such as the value of responsibility and how to deal with people," the elder sister, Althea, said.

Her younger sister added: "It's nice to look after children and help them. It's good experience."

Klabbsajf coordinator Ilona Attard explained that the club had been held for the last 10 years to help children from Cospicua, Vittoriosa and Kalkara improve their skills in a fun way during the summer months.

During the club activities that start on July 13, girls and boys aged between five and 12 years, learn various arts and crafts including painting, acting and dancing. This culminates in an end-of-summer talent show on September 9.

"Klabbsajf focuses on tapping into the abilities of the children in a space that allows them to develop in a creative way," Ms Attard explained. The classes, on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, also provided a platform for volunteers who were trained to deal with the children.

Nicole Vella, 20, volunteered for the first time last year. She found the experience so rewarding she will be returning this summer. "This type of volunteer work gives me the opportunity to help the community... I remember a moment last year when we took the children on an outing. There were three children who were usually naughty. But, that day, they stayed chatting with me and I saw a different side to them. It was very rewarding," she said.

This year, there would be about 45 volunteers, aged between 16 and 60, all screened before they are allowed to work with children. About 70 children signed up so far and they would be divided into groups according to age.

"The volunteers come from different backgrounds as we aim to promote inclusion," Ms Attard said, adding that some were wheelchair users and were very much accepted by the children.

Klabbsajf is organised by the Aċċess section at Appoġġ, the Foundation of Educational Services and the St Margaret College.

Anyone who wishes to help Klabbsajf through donations or sponsorship can contact Ms Attard on ilona.attard@gov.mt. Donations would serve to buy raw materials for children's activities among other things.