I want to congratulate Fr John Farrugia not only for his letter about the Maltese laymen, religious and priests who work in countries among millions of the very poor but especially for his work and dedication over the past 10 years.

His Foundation U has been raising much-needed funds to help these self-sacrificing Maltese fulfill their mission. The various marathons organised by the foundation has already raised about €750,000, thanks to the donations made by the generous Maltese public.

Throughout these years, life-saving jerry cans brought clean water in Kenya and the Phillipines, houses for the poor were built in Mozambique and in Kerala (India), abandoned children were sponsored in India and Kenya, two churches were built in Ghana and lepers and the sick were helped in various countries.

In this year’s marathon, between Friday and Sunday, funds will be raised to buy a mammogram for the Maltese hospital in Ghana, more jerry cans for the Cameroon, Chad and Central Africa and generators for schools and clinics in Pakistan.

Last but not least, lepers will be helped to have new hands to enable them to earn a living.

I appeal to the generosity of the Maltese people to help as much as they can.