Children at Mater Dei Hospital’s Rainbow Ward were thrilled to try out computers, donated to Puttinu Cares Foundation, to enable them to remain in contact with their family and friends.

The donation was made after the Malta Information and Technology Agency (Mita) teamed up with suppliers to provide equipment as part of its drive to ensure ICT is used for social benefit. Thanks to this initiative, children at the ward can make use of technology for educational, entertainment and socialising purposes.

“Puttinu Cares is doing an excellent job... Our initiatives aim to ensure that, during their stay at the Rainbow Ward or in the UK, the children remain connected with their families and friends at all times,” Mita chairman Claudio Grech said.

The technology provided allows children to communicate online anytime during the day and enjoy the same environment they may have at school or at home. Puttinu Cares vice chairman Angele Cuschieri said being away from home and family, school and their peers, these children were unable to interact with others.

Apart from the computers, the ward was also provided with a whiteboard, a video conference telephone facility and free Wi-Fi internet access. A new website was launched, so important for raising awareness and sharing news on and information of events by Puttinu Cares.

Mita is exploring different ideas of how it can help in setting up new IT equipment in the Puttinu Cares flats now being built in Sutton, England, for young Maltese cancer patients receiving treatment in the UK.

The agency is raising funds for Puttinu Cares through the software initiative recently launched with Microsoft. In line with this initiative, €3 is donated to Puttinu Cares from the sale of each Windows 7 Professional Upgrade and Office 2010 Professional Plus and €1.50 from the sale of either product if sold separately.