The Angels Children's Home in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, built by Monica Tonna-Barthet, 71, with her life's savings, is one year old this month. The home, built under the umbrella of the Kebena Kidane Mihret Catholic Church, is currently housing 16 sick street boys and another three are expected to be received soon from the Missionaries of Charity or from the Franciscan Sisters of the Heart of Jesus.
The home, which can accommodate up to 20 children, provides them with food, shelter, clothing and medical support as well as counselling with a view to giving them the chance to experience love, friendship and discipline.
Ms Tonna-Barthet said when contacted that in January the boys started trying their hand at agriculture on a piece of land adjacent to the home. The boys are now growing onions, garlic, mint, parsley, basil, lettuce, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, cabbage and zucchini. Soon they will start growing apples, mangoes and oranges. The home uses some of the vegetables and although it has not yet started selling, it intends to open a small shop for the purpose in the near future.
Besides agriculture, all the children are also involved in bamboo work and Ms Tonna-Barthet said that she would be requesting more land from the Ethiopian government so that she could also start organising iron work for "her" boys.
All this activity is carried out on weekends and after school hours and not to the detriment of the boys' schoolwork. "Their studies are going very well and hopefully in September, I shall place them all, if accepted and they pass their exams, in a private, Catholic school," she said.
Unfortunately, the home on May 31 had also had to go through the trauma of losing one of its boys, Getenet Sentayo, who died of heart problems.
Ms Tonna-Barthet expressed her heartfelt appreciation for the donations and help from Malta.
"The help from Malta is marvellous... I thank you for your loving help. Please thank all the Maltese and Gozitans who are helping the Angels Home. Also tell them to come and visit..."
People can sponsor the home at €360 (Lm154.55) per year or €180 (Lm77.27) every six months. Other donations are also appreciated. Cheques should be made payable to Angels Children's Home HSBC account 006 043020 453, c/o Margaret Tonna-Barthet 61/2, Triq Windsor, Sliema 1852. Other donations may be sent to the same address or direct to HSBC account 006 043020 051.
Information or photos are available from Margaret Tonna-Barthet on 2133 4162.