Fifteen years after its inception, the mission of Puttinu Cares to brighten the atmosphere where children are treated is ongoing.

Puttinu Cares vice chairperson Angele Cuschieri and CEO Rennie Zerafa

With the recent transfer of the Rainbow Ward from Mater Dei Hospital to the Sir Anthony Mamo Oncology Centre, the NGO is now looking for sponsors to help finish its redecoration.

Now a household name, the NGO was set up in 2002 by consultant Victor Calvagna and nurse Rennie Zerafa.

The charity’s first project was bringing to life the Wonderland Ward at St Luke’s Hospital. Volunteers and sponsors chipped in, brightening up the ward and creating an environment that was more attractive for children and therefore more beneficial to their medical care.

Puttinu Cares did the same when the ward, which changed its name to Rainbow, was transferred to Mater Dei in 2007.

Now that the Rainbow Ward has been transferred to the Oncology Centre, the NGO has once again invested its efforts in livening up the atmosphere.

The NGO wanted to brighten up the atmosphere where children receive treatment. Photo: Puttinu Cares

So far, sponsors have helped with the redecoration of the corridors and the educational room. Here, children do crafts under the guidance of a resident teacher, who also helps them out with their studies and homework. In summer, volunteer teachers also lend a helping hand.

Meanwhile, the Remax Malta Real Estate Agency renovated the playroom and outdoor area, the latter being a first for the Rainbow Ward.

Since the ward now hosts children and teenagers up to the age of 19, there is also an adolescents’ room, which includes computers and a hangout area, and which the NGO is in the process of upgrading.

Remax renovated the playroom and outdoor area.

Another work-in-progress room is the kitchen, which is equipped with a washing machine and tumble dryer.

The rooms themselves, which host around 14 patients, are equipped with TV and internet, game consoles and retractable beds for the parents who stay at the hospital overnight with their children. But they still need to be decorated.

Log on to www.puttinucares.org or send an email on info@puttinucares.org for more information on how to help. Donations of €6.99 can be made on 5061 8939, and donors can also call on 5160 2007 to give €10, 5170 2006 to give €15 and 5180 2008 to give €25.

The next big event for the charity willbe the 60-hour football and volleyball marathon planned for September 22-24.

Puttinu Cares was set up in 2002, when children were cared for at the Wonderland Ward in St Luke’s Hospital. Photo: Puttinu Cares

Photo: Jonathan Borg