Ħamsa u Għoxrin sena ta’ servizzi residenzjali – Artiklu li deher fir-revista Dawl Franġiskan – Sarah Bondin (General Manager) – Novembru 2024

Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem tiċċelebra ħamsa u għoxrin sena ta servizzi residenzjali lil nies bla dar.

F’Ottubru li għadda, il- Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem iċċelebrat ħamsa u għoxrin sena minn mindu ġiet imwaqfa mill-aħwa Kapuċċini fis-sena 1999 sabiex tiprovdi servizzi residenzjali lil individwi bla dar, igwidata mill-valuri Kapuċċini tal- kompassjoni, dinjita’ u servizz lil nies marġinati u ispiratha mit- tagħlim ta’ San Franġisk ta’ Assisi.

Il-missjoni ta’ Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem tmur lil hinn minn li toKri saqaf lil dawn il-persuni bla dar. Il-Fondazzjoni tfittex li tizgħra dinjita’, tama u mħabba billi tiKaċilita trejqiet individwali ġodda sabiex iseħħu il- bidliet neċessarji ġodda biex dawn in-nies jimxu il-quddiem. Il-ħidma tagħna tipermetti lil dawn l-individwi biex jerġgħu jemnu fijhom infushom, jibnu ħajjithom u jsiebu posthom fis-soċjeta. Matul dawn is-snin, il-Fondazzjoni għenet aktar minn elfejn persuna. Biss biss matul l-aħħar sena irċeviet madwar 281 talba għal- għajnuna.

Li persuna tispicca bla dar m’hijiex sempliċi problema ta’ ‘housing’ imma hija is-sitwazzjoni aħħarija li normalment tkun kumplessa u li il-kawża tagħha normalment tkun ġejja minn diversi aspetti bħal diKikultajiet finanzjarji, sitwazzjonijiet familjari kumplessi u problematici, l-użu tas-sustanzi jew mard, inkluż sfidi ta’ saħħa mentali. Is-saħħa mentali tal-persuna ħafna drabi tigi impattata meta persuna issib ruħha bla dar pero is-saħħa mentali tista tkun ir- raġuni primarja li persuna ma tkunx tista’ tghix indipendenti.

Dawn is-sitwazzjonijiet jirikjedu soluzzjonijiet ħolistiċi u fit-tul. Kif naslu għal dawn is-soluzjonijiet? Permezz ta’ grupp ta’ professjonisti multi-dixxiplinarji u iddedikati niprovdu kura wiesgħa li tinkludi aspetti mediċi inkluż dawk mentali, emozjonali u soċjali b’mod individwali u komunitarju u pass pass nimxu il-mixja mar-resident skond il-bżonijiet tiegħu jew tagħha.

*Mary mara ta’ ħamsa u tletien sena spiċċat bla dar u daħlet Tereża Spinelli flimkien mat-tifel tagħha ta’ ħames snin. Mary għaddiet minn snin ta’ vjolenza domestika li ħalliet impatt fuq is-saħħa mentali tagħha. Kellha wkoll diKikultajiet biex tikkontrolla l-imġieba tat-tifel tagħha li kien ukoll qegħed ibati minn diKikultajiet emozjonali. Minħabba dan kellha diKikulta biex iżomm ix- xoghol. Waqt iż-żmien tagħha magħna ġewwa Tereża Spinelli għenijha sabiex tirkupra is-saħħa mentali tagħha filwaqt li it-tifel beda jingħata għajnunha professjonali permezz ta’ ‘play therapist’ u b’hekk Mary bdiet tirkupra pass pass, hadmet biex sabet xogħol u issa qed taħdem fuq pjan finanzjarju sabiex tgħix indipendenti.

Ma’ *Mark li wasal magħna ġewwa Dar Victoria wara snin ġewwa l-isptar Monte Carmeli minħabba dipendenza fuq l-alkoħol li impattatlu l- indipendenza tiegħu u ir-relazzjonijiet familjari tieghu, ħdimna miegħu biex jerġgħa jibni il-ħiliet bażiċi ta’ kuljum waqt li kien ukoll qegħed jaħdem fuq il- problema ta’ l-alkoħol. Waqt li kien qiegħed jghix magħna kemm il-darba kien se jaqtgħa qalbu imma it- ‘team’ baqgħa jemmen fih u jimbuttah sabiex ikompli jaħdem fuqu nnifsu, ħallas id-djun li kellhu u sar aktar kunfidenti. Illum il-ġurnata qegħed jerġa jibni ir-relazzjoni tiegħu mal-familjari tiegħu biex eventwalment ikun jistgħa jerġa’ jingħaqad mal-familja.

Illum il-ġurnata il-Fondazzjoni għandha ħames t’idjar –

Dar Leopoldo li takkomoda irġiel bla dar u Dar Tereża Spinelli li takkomoda niesa bit-tfal li jsibu ruħhom bla dar. Dar Victoria li tilqa fijha irġiel li jkunu għamlu żmien twil ġewwa l-isptar Monte Carmeli minħabba sfidi ta’ saħħa mentali u li jkunu jirekjedu sapport fit-tul, Dar Franġisk li hija akkomodazjoni għall- irġiel ikar indipendenti u li ħafna drabi jimxu minn Dar Victoria u Dar Imelda u Paul Debono li hija residenza fil-komunita’ għal niesa bi sfidi ta’ saħħa mentali li ma jkunux għadhom b’saħħithom biex jgħixu b’mod indipendenti.

F’kull ħin, id-djar jakkomodaw madwar sebgħin resident. Dan jirrikjedi spejjeż kbar. Matul is-sena 2023, in-nefqa fuq dawn is-servizzi ammontat għal 1.25 Miljun Ewro. Kull għajnuna finanzjarja hija ferm apprezata. Għall-aktar informazzjoni dwar il-Fondazzjoni jew kif tistgħa tgħin biex inkomplu inħallu impatt fuq l-iktar nies vulnerabli tista’ żżur www.suretilbniedem.com

*Dawn l-ismijiet huma fittizji u ma jiriflettux l-ismijiet veri ta’ dawn il-persuni.

Sarah Bondin – General Manager.

Maria Ellul

Maria always had a passion for the social sciences, and she started reading for a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2022. Maria started working at Fondazzjoni Suret il-Bniedem in 2025 as a Support Worker during her final year of studies.

Maria is also a violinist and a dancer, and she is furthering her studies at the London College of Music and currently doing her Advanced Foundation studies in Flamenco dance. Maria is also an active member with the Girl Guides of Malta. 

She also volunteered with the Sisters of Mother Theresa in Egypt in 2023. Maria enjoys spending her free time exploring the wonders of nature, spending time with her family or reading an exciting book. 

Yasmin Abela

Yasmine is a dedicated and passionate psychology student in her final year at the University of Malta. With a deep-rooted interest in childhood behaviour, she has managed to gain her work experience in child development and care. This journey has reinforced her ability to create nurturing and engaging environments for children, fostering both their growth and creativity. Even though her experience at FSIB has begun quite recently, it has already been profoundly eye-opening, offering her a deeper understanding of the complexities of mental health and homelessness and the crucial efforts required to support both. 

Beyond her academic and professional pursuits, Yasmine finds joy in reading, particularly self-help books that inspire personal growth and reflection. Listening to music also plays an essential role in her daily life, providing both relaxation and motivation. With a strong passion for psychology and a genuine desire to help others, Yasmine is very eager to continue expanding her knowledge as well as experience in the field.

Krysle Muscat

Krysle is a final-year student pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology (Honours) and has recently joined FSIB as a Support Worker. She values the foundation as an approachable and safe space where mental wellbeing is prioritised, allowing her to openly share her thoughts and feel genuinely supported. Passionate about helping others and advocating for equal rights, Krysle is driven by the fulfilment in making a positive impact on people’s lives. 

She approaches challenges with determination and flexibility and places a strong emphasis on both her own mental wellbeing and that of others. Krysle has a strong sense of responsibility and is committed to continued learning and growth in her field. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, she enjoys exploring new places and cultures, discovering hobbies, and engaging in activities such as reading and appreciating simple outdoor moments in nature.

Ms Angie Paola Vargas

Angie graduated with a degree in Psychology in 2018. Throughout her career, she has had the opportunity to work with various vulnerable populations in her home country, utilising psychoeducation to enhance their quality of life. She joined the team as a Support Worker, where she has been able to strengthen her knowledge and contribute new ideas.  In her free time, Angie enjoys jogging, hiking, traveling, and reading.

Leanne Magro

Leanne graduated from MCAST with a Bachelor’s Degree in Health and Social Care Management. Her academic growth was complemented by hands-on experience in various health and social care settings, as well as training courses abroad. Throughout her career, she has taken on roles such as a Pharmacy Technician, Fundraising Administrator, Project Coordinator and Communications and Outreach Executive. In these capacities, she has focused on empowering individuals and helping them create positive change.

In her role as a Home Coordinator at Dar Tereza Spinelli, Leanne aims to continue her

mission of empowerment by supporting individuals to reach their full potential, ensuring their well-being, and promoting a healthy, independent lifestyle. She is passionate about working with people and is a determined individual who strives to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Outside of work, Leanne loves travelling to new places, immersing herself in different

cultures and cuisines, and discovering the wonders of the underwater world through

snorkelling. She is also an avid reader who enjoys expanding her knowledge and

imagination through books.

Miriam Muscat

Miriam obtained a degree in Health and Social Care Management in 2024. She joined Suret il-Bniedem shortly after graduating bringing over two and a half years of valuable experience working in homeless shelters. Miriam is passionate about supporting vulnerable populations and is eager to broaden her expertise and contribute meaningfully to the team.

With a strong interest in holistic and therapeutic approaches, she aims to further her studies in Play Therapy, recognizing its powerful impact on mental health and well-being, especially for children.

Beyond her professional life, Miriam enjoys expressing her creativity through acting and cherishes opportunities to connect with others through socializing. She believes that maintaining a healthy work-life balance is key to providing compassionate and effective support to those in need