Activity to raise money for Guatemala disabled

About 30 Maltese volunteers will soon be taking a long-haul flight to Guatemala to help realise a project organised by a Gozitan priest to build a centre for disabled people.

An activity entitled Guatemala Day, organised by the Mission Fund, will be held today at the Trade Fair Grounds, in Naxxar to raise much-needed money for the project.

The volunteers, who leave in July, include electricians, welders, teachers and three drydocks workers.

The project is being put together under the watchful eye of Fr Anton Grech, a young priest who has been helping the poor in Guatemala for some 10 years.

An estimated 83 per cent of Guatemala's population lives in poverty.

In the last four years, Fr Anton, 31, who serves in the parish of San Manuel Chaparron, has built a church, a number of small chapels, a school complex and a workshop, thanks to the money raised by Maltese and Gozitans.

Several singers and choirs will be taking part in the nine-hour marathon programme taking place today at Naxxar.

Priscilla Psaila, Claudio Tonna, Joe Dimech and Matilde Balzan will compere the activity. A number of prizes will be presented to those making donations in person or over the phone.

For Lm3 donations call 50049623, for Lm5 call 500496256, for Lm10 call 50049620. One may also send a blank SMS to 618845 for a Lm3 donation.