The saying that charity begins at home rings true for a Maltese foundation that helps promising young people from Guatemala study or train in Malta so that they can improve the social and economic situation in their home towns.

The GuateMalta Foundation, set up to support Fr Anton Grech’s parish in Puerto Barrios, Izabal, runs a mentoring programme that has, among other initiatives, seen the establishment of a TV station that reaches people who live in remote regions.

For this parrinu (godfather) programme, the prospective mentored people distinguish themselves through their skills and willingness to improve their social and economic situation, not just for their own benefit, but for the rest of the community, Prof. Victor Axiak told the Times of Malta.

The chosen individual is provided a tailor-made programme through which they are brought to Malta, where they receive the necessary training and skills. The foundation has to find a person or organisation in Malta that is able to mentor this person and will also have to secure the necessary funds to cover flights and accommodation.

Fr Grech, who is from Gozo, has been working in Guatemala for more than 20 years. The foundation was set up by some of his close friends and Prof. Carmelo Agius to provide philanthropic and financial aid to his mission through fund-generating events, projects and charitable work.

It also assists in organising Maltese groups visiting Fr Grech’s parish to do voluntary work by providing them the necessary information and resources.

Carmelo Agius (left) and Fr Anton Grech 10 years ago

Volunteers contribute in different ways – financially, physically or through their experience. Prof. Agius, one such person, who has supported Fr Grech since 2005, has primarily helped out with food production projects, mainly fish farming, but also educational programmes. Another volunteer, Maria Attard, who runs Dar Ġużeppa Debono, which supports parents through unplanned pregnancies and promotes the importance of healthy relationships, flew to Guatemala at age 68.

Willingness to benefit themselves and the rest of their community

There she shared best practices with stakeholders including teachers, hospital staff, NGOs and catechists, as the situation is similar to Malta’s 30 years ago, when unplanned pregnancies were stigmatised. The lack of support may lead to a situation where teenage mothers cannot continue their studies or training, Ms Attard told this newspaper.

Log on to http://guatemalta.org/ if you would like to learn more.

Those interested can also send an e-mail to Prof. Axiak on victoraxiak@gmail.com or Fr Grech on grechanton@gmail.com.

In action

Launching a TV station

Estuardo Morales, 22, aspired to kicking off a career in the communications sector. Mr Morales was trained by the local CVC company based in Gozo, so that once back in Guatemala, he could help Fr Grech launch a TV station that reaches thousands of people, including those in remote regions. Through the TV station, Fr Grech manages to keep in touch with those parishioners whom he cannot reach on foot.

Supporting children with social problems

Selmy Licardi, 24, graduated in psychology but had no fixed job. Following a three-month internship at the University of Malta and Mount Carmel Hospital, when she returned to her home town in Guatemala she could help out children with social problems.

Long-distance learning and outreach

Jackelyn Liseth Paiz Martínez followed a programme about long-distance learning and communications under the supervision of Prof Fr Saviour Chircop from the University of Malta. She also benefited from a working experience at the Environment and Resources Authority. Back in Guatemala, she will put in practise her new skills, also through the new TV station.

A fish farm completed around five years ago in Izabal parish.

A new home for a family in need

Stella Maris church

A sports facility completed recently.