Id-Dar tal-Providenza broke last year’s all-time record through Tuesday’s fundraising marathon when more than €1 million flooded in to help the 98 disabled residents.
But this is just one third of the annual amount that the respite home needs to operate.
According to director Martin Micallef, the home needs €3.5 million a year – approximately €10,000 a day. Operating from three blocks in Siġġiewi and Qawra, it houses 98 people with mental and physical disabilities on a permanent basis and provides respite services to an additional 65.
Apart from the 150 regular volunteers, it employs 204 people on a part- and full-time basis, and most of the expenses – €2 million – go towards the salaries of these employees.
Another €500,000 is spent on maintenance, €500,000 on food, and another €500,000 to improve the home’s infrastructure.
The home’s expenses would be higher without the volunteers, and would increase if benefactors did not provide food on a regular basis.
At Id-Dar tal-Providenza there is also a community of four nuns of Santa Giovanna Antide Thouret who have been providing medical care since the home was set up by Dun Mikiel Azzopardi in 1965.
On Tuesday, Id-Dar tal-Providenza was transformed into a bustling hub of cheerfulness as the 17th annual fundraising marathon, organised by RTK 4 Charity, raked in the record amount.
The hundreds who visited had the chance to see where their donations are being put to use.
The home provides personalised services to its residents, including washing and feeding those who are not able to be independent. The ability promoters’ teams and support workers organise outings, including countryside walks and day trips to Gozo.
Workshops are organised for some residents who prepare stamps to be sold to collectors, while others grow agricultural products to be sold at a fair in Siġġiewi and during the marathon volleyball held in June.
Wheelchair dancing, gym activities and other sport events, including bowling, are organised to help residents maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. And while the younger ones attend secondary school and resources centres, some go to day centres organised by the State agency Aġenzija Sapport.
The home also has an ICT lab with assisted-technology hardware and software, and caters for severely disabled residents through electronic equipment called Opti Music.