There is a gap between offering residential care and independent living for problem youths and the Salesians of Don Bosco are among those working to bridge it.
It is not that people are necessarily homeless... they may have a roof on their head, but it is not fixed
A project to extend their Osanna Pia Home in Sliema to provide “supervised independent living arrangements” in studio apartments close by is about to start.
“To make an analogy, we are realising it is useless getting the ferry to Gozo and being dropped off 100 metres from the shore,” said Fr Antoine Farrugia, who volunteers at the home.
The plan is to heavily subsidise accommodation, easing the move from semi-independent living to the outside world.
The government has passed on to the Salesians a block of flats in Mrabat Street, which is being extensively refurbished and turned into seven apartments.
The Mamma Margherita Home has received the go-ahead from the Planning Authority and will cost some €300,000, half of which the Salesians have already put up. They are in the process of raising the rest of the funds and the goal is to complete the project by 2014 – the 200th anniversary of Don Bosco’s birth.
Osanna Pia Home director Fr Savio Vella said the setup would mean that if the men ran into difficulties – often the case – they would not risk being kicked out because they could not pay the rent.
On their part, beneficiaries would need to be in employment to be eligible for the apartments and would not be expected to get married there and stay on.
“I cannot say there is a crisis out there. However, youths experiencing a trauma, who cannot see their future clearly but want to make something out of life, can benefit from our offer.
“It is not that people are necessarily homeless; they are moving from one home to another; they may have a roof over their head but it is not fixed,” Fr Savio explained.
For the last eight years, the mission of Osanna Pia Home, donated to the Salesians 25 years ago to look after youths in distress, is to provide a “family” for boys between 18 and 25, who cannot rely on theirs, have dysfunctional backgrounds and consequent behavioural problems.
It also caters for migrants, which make up half the six men in the home, with Osanna Pia in an agreement to offer accommodation to unaccompanied minors.
Saleh, from Ethiopia, is not exactly a minor as he entered the home at 24. The government has waived his university fees and Osanna Pia is looking after the rest, supporting him in his studies. Now 29, he even gets a salary from the home for his job as a carer, and Osanna Pia will continue supporting him to further his education.
“The educational experience is important. We are not here for anyone who decides to move out of home and seeks a cheap hotel. We need to ensure they have the intention to build their future and prepare for independent living.
“If we find they are not prepared to cooperate, we tell them to solve their problems elsewhere, especially if they do not want to work, or require professional intervention and refuse it,” Fr Savio stressed.
He knows the home has its limitations when it comes to solving problems and believes some youths need a more disciplined environment – “a sort of boot camp” – which does not exist in Malta.
“We are sensitive to society and those who help us financially. I have in mind an old lady who lives off her pension and regularly donates €5. I must spend that carefully and not waste it on those who do not want to help themselves.
“We do not encourage the idea of living off society; we do not advocate the attitude that ‘society owes me a living’ and believe everyone should contribute. It is about give and take. Keeping that balance is not easy,” Fr Savio said.
“We have experienced situations where, instead of washing the clothes they are given, the men throw them away, knowing they will receive more; or when they get their first pay, they go out and buy a burger even though they have food on their table,” Fr Savio said.
Osanna Pia is “flexible” and aims to offer a “breathing space” to settle before moving on; a “serene” environment where the men can deal with their past and be helped to plan their future.
The cut-off point for Fr Savio is when they feel ready for independent living. That is when they are challenged to leap to the next stage of life – in this case into the arms of Mamma Margherita.