Minus One, a support group for the widowed, observed International Widows’ Day on June 23 for the second time by organising a seminar targeted for the widowed and their families.

Minus One’s efforts last year helped the local organisation spark collaboration with the Loomba Foundation, the organisation which was the first to observe this day.

International Widows’ Day was recognised by the UN in 2011 and is marked largely in India and the UK. The aim of this day is to give special attention to the situation of widows and their children.

Minus One observed this day with a thanksgiving Mass and a seminar held at Project House in Floriana. The topics tackled during this event were self-regard, an issue encountered by many passing through such a trauma, and the perspective of young adults losing a parent.

These took the form of a talk delivered by Rita Micallef and a presentation by Sarah Suda, a young adult who lost her father four years ago.

The seminar was open not only to members of the organisation but also to other support groups that work with the widowed in Malta, and other related areas such as terminal illness and other social issues.

During the seminar, a donation collected from among the members of Minus One was presented to Andrew Decelis, a representative of Puttinu Cares.

More information about Minus One may be obtained by sending an e-mail to info@minusone.eu or by calling 9927 1981.