For the past 15 years children at the Fra Diego Home in Ħamrun have been taken to school in a van that needs to be urgently replaced with one that costs about €34,000.

The Franciscan Sisters of the Sacred Heart, who administer and manage the home, have been advised to replace the van because it needs such regular service. Although the chassis of the vehicle is in good shape, it is in and out of the mechanic’s garage – once it had to be serviced twice in a week.

The best price offered for a new 14-seater van is €33,800, including VAT. “We use the van for the children who are being cared for and protected here: to take them to school, on outings, for any parties they might be invited to. We also use it to transport things to the children’s summer residence in Xemxija, and vegetables and fruit which are donated to the home,” Mother Superior Sister Henrichetta Farrugia SCJ told this newspaper.

There are 10 children living at the home, while the day care centre caters for another 10 social cases.

Through a co-management project between the government and the Church, the home will be opening two more residential units within the same quarters for another 14 children. 

Donations can be made to BOV A/C No.: 13804872010 (Iban: MT70 VALL 22013000000013804872010) or APS A/C No.:1106933001-5 (Iban: MT19 APSB 7704 6001 1106 9330015). Benefactors may also send a cheque to the Mother Superior, Fra Diego Home, Villambrosa Street, Ħamrun, or drop in and leave their contribution at the reception.

Every donation will be acknowledged with a receipt.