This young boy’s dream of meeting Valletta FC players became a reality this week. His is one of 2,100 dreams that this year made it to the list of the Children’s Dreams campaign. Photo: Matthew MirabelliThis young boy’s dream of meeting Valletta FC players became a reality this week. His is one of 2,100 dreams that this year made it to the list of the Children’s Dreams campaign. Photo: Matthew Mirabelli

Basic necessities such as a belt, a pencil box and Tal-linja top-up cards, or something as simple as a “fun day”, have made it to the wish list of the most vulnerable children this Christmas.

The number of children making a wish has increased by two thirds over 2015 following a successful campaign. More than 90 per cent of these children’s dreams have already found a sponsor.

However, most of the ones that are yet to come true are those of a shopping experience – a luxury for children who are usually given hand-me-downs.

In total this year there were some 2,100 dreams to be fulfilled, and several of the remaining six per cent are vouchers for clothes and shoes. The families of the children who asked for these vouchers have financial difficulties and opt to provide the kids with their basic needs. Most of the time these children wear donated hand-me-down clothes, a spokeswoman for Appoġġ explained.

While some do occasionally receive new clothes, in reality these children are asking for a voucher to go shopping and choose their own clothes – just like their peers.

There are also requests for laptops, tablets and game consoles, and sponsors do not need new things to fulfil the dreams. The campaign coordinators ask, however, that used items should be in a good working condition.

Children’s Dreams is coordinated by Lina Pecorella, in partnership with Appoġġ, following a similar campaign in Lithuania.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.