Every day, after school, Timmy* would sit on his bed to do his homework since he had no desk on which to spread out his copybooks and pencils.

The boy also spent several days at school holding up his torn trouser pocket.

But then Anna*, who is in her 60s, walked into his life and things started to change. His pocket has been sown and he can now sit at his desk to do his homework.

Anna, a volunteer with the government support agency Appoġġ, entered Timmy’s home with the aim of teaching the 12-year-old’s mother basic skills like cleanliness, budgeting, cooking and sewing.

Like a real-life Mary Poppins, she will be around so long as the family, who have social problems, needs her.

She is one of about 49 volunteers who work with the Appoġġ Programm Ulied Darna that offers practical help to facilitate the life of families who receive other services from the Foundation for Social Welfare Services.

But the number of volunteers is not enough to meet social demands, which is why the agency issued a call for applications for volunteers to participate in the programme and to offer their services on the 24-hour Supportline 179.

Anna started volunteering about seven years ago when she saw a similar advert. Her children were in their teens and she needed to fill her life.

“I had a lot of time on my hands and wanted to give something back,” she said, adding that after she applied she attended a training programme before she was assigned to Timmy’s family.

Timmy’s mother, a single mother of two, came from a background of social problems and needed help with basic skills most families take for granted.

“At first I was shocked to see there was so much suffering out there. To see a mother who cannot help her own children make a future for themselves in this world. My children will find it difficult, let alone hers...

“When I first walked into the house, I have to say, I was taken aback ... There was a stench of animals and the place was dirty... But things have changed a lot since then,” she smiled.

Anna goes to the family once a week and has guided the mother on how to keep a clean house, carry out chores like organising laundry and sewing, how to prioritise when it comes to budgeting and how to be affectionate towards her children.

She also helped the children acquire values their mother may not be able to teach them. When she goes there she helps them with their homework, plays with them and speaks to them about life, opening their eyes to potential dangers.

When she noticed that Timmy needed extra help in a particular subject she informed her supervisor from Appoġġ, and through the Appoġġ Children’s Fund, private lessons started being funded.

And when she realised Timmy needed a desk it was acquired through Proġett Tereża that provides families with donated furniture. She taught the mother how to write her name and read the time and has seen the children open up to affection.

Apart from helping the family Anna also helps other families and carries out childminding at women’s shelters.

“Volunteering fills you with a type of happiness I cannot describe. At least I’m helping out. They appreciate my work and give me so much in return.... Try it out and I’m sure you’ll enjoy it as it gives you immense satisfaction,” she said.

Social worker Rosanne Cassar, who provides professional training, support and guidance to the volunteers of Programm Ulied Darna, explained there was a great need for volunteers to help children like Timmy and their families.

Once they applied, volunteers were vetted, trained and matched with families according to their experience and the family’s needs. They were also provided with monthly support group meetings to discuss their work and get advice.

Anyone interested in volunteering with Programm Ulied Darna or Supportline 179 can call on 2295 9000 or on the support line. They can also visit www.fsws.gov.mt or www.appogg.gov.mt from where they can download an application. Applications are to be submitted by tomorrow.

*Names and details have been changed to protect the family’s identity.