When a woman leaves an abusive relationship, she most often ends up with no financial means, a weak CV and a disheartened spirit.
But a survivor-run hub, the first of its sort in Malta, will provide the space and support for women to be trained and learn new skills that will hopefully open their door to gainful employment.
A townhouse in Tarxien is currently going through refurbishment to host, among others, a shop, an industrial kitchen and a clinic for probono and government agency practitioners. The work is already under way, but a further €69,000 is needed to complete the project.
The hub will not be a shelter, but more like a day centre providing long-term peer-to-peer support, explained Elaine Compagno, who leads SOAR, a service provided by the Jeanne Antide Foundation.
She said that the hub will house a social enterprise, initially involving the making of bath cosmetics and candle products by the women themselves. This will support SOAR’s sustainability, and the foundation will also go for a permaculture approach and grow crops in the house’s garden.
Women can contribute much better when they are living, and not just surviving
The produce will be given to survivors facing food poverty, who will also be involved in growing the fruit and vegetables.
The hub will be spearheaded by a team of trained survivors as SOAR is a pioneer in the area of domestic violence peer-support in Malta where survivors are considered experts by experience.
For domestic survivor Katie*, the hub will be a secure space for women like her and their children where they can slowly start rebuilding their damaged self-confidence.
“When women feel happy and accepted by others, their children and society automatically benefit. This is so as women can contribute much better when they are living, and not just surviving,” she said.
The hub gives Katie hope as it allows her to believe she is worthy.
A lot of structural work has been carried out on the townhouse, but at the moment the support service needs funds for the testing and repairs of ceiling beams, which is expected to cost more than €10,000.
Corporate partners have provided support in kind, including QP Management, Fidem Foundation and HSBC Foundation. APS Bank directly supports the SOAR Support Service and other companies and entities have supported the cleaning up work at the hub through CSR initiatives.
*Name has been changed
How to help
Donations to the St Jeanne Antide Foundation can be made by dropping by at Ċentru Antida, 51, Tarxien Road, Tarxien TXN 1092, or by sending a cheque issued to St Jeanne Antide Foundation to Ċentru Antida.
They can also be done through bank transfer: APS 2000 0681886; HSBC 0131 75021 001; BOV 4002 003379-0 or BNF 002 10404 101.
Go, Vodafone or Redtouch subscribers can donate by sending a blank SMS on 5061 7371 to donate €2.33; 5061 8095 to donate €4.66, 5061 8909 to donate €6.99 or 5061 9217 to donate €11.65.
Bank transfers from overseas can be done to APS Bank, 146/147, Antoine De Paule Square, Paola PLA1260, bank code (Swift) APSBMTMT and Iban number MT03 APSB 7708 0005 5047 2000 0681 886.
More information on 2180 9011, 2180 8981 or 2767 2367.
