President George Abela described his voluntary-work visit to Peru as a “golden experience” for everybody on the team, who returned to Malta with a different perspective on life.
Accompanied by 77 voluntary workers from all walks of life – including doctors, consultants, social workers and business people – the President returned last week after a visit to Arequipa to help the MSSP Mission.
Dr Abela, who for the first time yesterday addressed criticism that some made about his trip, said the only reason the visit could have been controversial was because heads of states did not normally undertake voluntary work visits abroad. He added that it was a great success.
Although widely praised for his initiative, some raised questions over the timing of the trip, given the fraught political climate, and whether it fell within a president’s role.
In his first public address since his return, he said the group did not go to South America as missionaries but as volunteers and encouraged everyone to “make a choice in favour of the poor”.
“Happiness does not come with luxury or money – we gave a lot but we got so much more in return,” he said.
He said his role in Peru was more supportive than hands-on: he visited all the Maltese volunteers at their posts every day to boost their motivation and gave a helping hand in food distribution.
Volunteer Anna Maria Caruana said: “Once at about 10 a.m. the President told us he needed more bread for the people who were working on the various projects. Being such a humble person, he helped spread the butter on the bread.”
When asked whether he undertook the trip in his capacity as a president or as a private citizen he said: “A President cannot be split into private or public.”
However, he said that any protocol issues raised by the media prior to the trip were sorted in a matter of seconds, when he coincidentally met the President of Peru.
President Ollanta Humala, who was on an official visit to Arequipa on the Maltese team’s last day, asked to meet Dr Abela.
“It was a beautiful experience. We were boarding the plane and he sent for me – we met literally on the apron and he thanked us for all our work,” he said. “Contrary to what certain people had said, it was not awkward at all.”
The President insisted that solidarity should be “without frontiers” and that the presidency should actually be at the forefront to promote these values.
Addressing the launch of the tenth edition of the Oħloq Tbissima 60-hour marathon at St Joseph Home in Santa Venera, he praised the MSSP’s dedicated mission in Peru, which is based in an area where climatic conditions are very harsh.
The aim of the Oħloq Tbissima marathon this year is to raise missionary awareness and funds in aid of MSSP missions as well as for St Joseph Home in Santa Venera. Another aim is to raise money for evangelisation through the media.
The marathon is being aired on Favourite TV with links on TVM, Net and One.
Donations can be sent through phoning 5160 2004 (€10), 5170 2007 (€15), or 5180 2009 (€25) or by SMS on 5061 8099 (€4.66).