Best friends Maxine Aquilina and Angie Amato have set up Jays of Sunshine, a new organisation which will help fulfil children and young people’s dreams at a difficult time.
Both women have shared many a life experience: their friendship, their love for children and, most recently, the loss of both their mothers to cancer.
“Our inspiration comes from our mothers, Jackie and Josette. After we lost them, we felt the need to do something to help others,” say the young women, who replaced ‘rays’ with ‘jays’ as a keepsake of their mothers’ names.
An actress and teacher at Stagecoach Theatre Arts School, Maxine says she volunteered at the Rainbow Ward back in 2009 while working in a nursery. After a change in career, she went abroad to study for a Master’s degree.
“However, I always had a longing feeling to go back to volunteering. After losing my mother, this feeling just continued to grow and I couldn’t ignore it any longer. Angie, being amazing with children, my best friend and the only person, other than my brother and sister, who could relate to the same loss, was naturally the one I turned to, to speak about this dream. She too had been wanting to give back and make a difference and, once we realised we both wanted the same things, everything began falling into place,” says Maxine, who loves teaching and has found her passion in this field.
“However, spending time playing, singing or simply hanging out with children and young people going through such a difficult time is a different level of fulfilment. Just knowing I can make a child smile, even for a moment, makes it all worthwhile.”
Angie, who has been working with young children for the past seven years, decided to become a nanny in September 2017.
“Working with kids has been amazing; you learn a lot from them and each day is a new day with a new challenge,” she says.
Working closely with Puttinu Cares, Jays of Sunshine has already started planning a number of experiences in response to children’s requests, including getting hold of a signed T-shirt from Juventus star Dybala for a 13-year-old girl, a trip for a boy and his mother to watch a Juventus football game and a ride in a sports car for a young boy.
Any child or young person undergoing treatment needs a little sunshine. And we are there to supply exactly that!
“We approached Puttinu Cares with our ideas and weren’t too sure if we would be allowed to go ahead with any of our plans – until we met the members and they were as excited as we were.
“Rennie and Angele from Puttinu are very inspirational people who would do anything for the children and their families. They are our middle people to turn to; they contact the parents and let them know what is happening from our end,” say the women, who simply cannot wait to see the expression on the children’s faces.
Losing their mothers has made both Maxine and Angie even more conscious of the importance of their venture.
A single parent, Maxine’s mother was the most important person in her life. “A mother, father and best friend; she was the only person to turn to. I believe we all, especially as young children, depend on our mothers. The bond between a mother and child is unbreakable,” says a heartbroken Maxine.
“The experience has made me a stronger person. Losing my mother was always my worst nightmare and when she was diagnosed with cancer in 2016, I refused to accept this could mean I would lose her. She was such a strong woman and fighter that she filled me with courage every day even though she was the one fighting the battle.
“My only advice to anyone going through a similar situation is to cherish every moment.”
Angie’s mother was a hard worker. Even though she owned and ran her own household shop, she always dedicated time to her family.
“She devoted all her energy to my father, who suffered a stroke, and tended to all our daily needs. Even though it was tiring and stressful, she never complained. She loved to entertain people, so she spent a lot of time in the kitchen cooking for friends and family. She was always the life and soul of the party and her smile would light up the room.
“She was a great role model and I’m proud to have taken after her in many ways,” says Angie, who has found that speaking up about her feelings or writing them down is a great help.
Both women hope to be there for all the children needing help as much as they can.
“We want to make wishes come true, so we have given each patient a wish list. They may choose to write down what they’ve always wished for or dreamt of. We will also be spending time with the children and their families, doing whatever they love to do. We believe money cannot buy time and memories. At the end of the day, experiences and memories are all we have. Any child or young person undergoing treatment needs a little sunshine. And we are there to supply exactly that!”
Those wishing to help out Jays of Sunshine may get in touch with Maxine and Angie on Facebook.