The 10th edition of a TV fundraising marathon that brings a smile on the faces of children with difficult backgrounds will this year be held in August instead of July.
Since President George Abela and 85 Maltese people will be in Peru to carry out voluntary work with the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP) this month, Oħloq Tbissima has been postponed to August 3.
The 60-hour marathon, broadcast live from the St Joseph Home, is held to raise missionary awareness and collect funds for MSSP missions in the Philippines, Peru and Pakistan.
The home in Sta Venera welcomes boys who cannot live with their families.
Donations collected during last year’s marathon have partially funded a project that helps teenagers there adapt to an independent life.
Boys struggling to fend for themselves after turning 18 are temporarily hosted in an apartment to gain essential life skills, including budgeting and how to deal with job losses.
“We were losing boys who, after years at the St Joseph Home, feel lost and end up in criminal circles. We hope this project eases the transaction between the home and the world out there,” home director Fr Frankie Cini said.
Those who visit to the home during the marathon can see the wing that has been converted into two apartments: one for these teenagers and another for children who cannot return to their family home at the weekend.
This year’s donations will fund a small area being converted into study rooms for private tuition.
Overseas, MSSP tries to give people from all walks of life “the dignity they deserve”.
“In the Philippines and Peru, they are given shelter and basic needs like food, clothes and medical care... but, above all, they are given love,” regional superior Fr Louis Mallia said.
In Pakistan, MSSP is building a school for children and women.
Fr Mallia said they did not have any fundraising targets because they believed in God’s providence and welcomed any contribution.
“We do our utmost... and welcome the rest,” he said.
Organised by the MSSP production house, Cam Productions International, the marathon kicks off on August 3 at noon and ends on August 5 at midnight. The highlight will be a dancing competition between actors and singers while Skype links will be held with missionaries in Peru, Pakistan and the Philippines. It will be broadcast on Favourite Channel with links on TVM, Net TV and One TV, and streamed live on www.camcpi.org.
Donation lines will open on July 15. People can donate €10 on 5160 2004, €15 on 5170 2007 and €25 on 5180 2009 or €4.66 by SMS on 5061 8099.