Suret-il bniedem Foundation's new shelter for homeless women and children in Valletta will be welcoming its first residents tomorrow.
The shelter, which was officially opened yesterday, has been named Dar Tereza Spinelli after the foundress of the Augustinian nuns, who had herself been a victim of domestic violence when she was married.
The home was inaugurated by Social Policy Minister Lawrence Gonzi and blessed by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, in the presence of Infrastructure Minister Francis Zammit Dimech. Labour's spokesperson for social affairs, Marie Louise Coleiro, MP, was also present.
The large 11-roomed abandoned building was rehabilitated in a project which was financed by the Valletta Rehabilitation Project at a cost of Lm18,000.
Home co-ordinator Mariella Micallef said Dar Tereza Spinelli was expected to provide temporary shelter for 17 homeless women and children by Christmas. It can take a maximum of 25 people.
The home will not be providing just food and shelter, but it will also provide professional psychological and emotional help so as to enable the women to pick up the pieces and start afresh.
The shelter is being run by a management committee headed by Catherine Galea.
Foundation vice-chairman Richard Galea said it will take about Lm60,000 a year to cover the cost of food, staffing, medical care and other running expenses.
However, Mr Galea said the government, through its different entities, will be forking out about Lm30,000 towards these costs.
Set up by the Capuchin order in Malta in 1999, the foundation continues the work initiated by Fr Leopold Tabone in the Welcome Home in Fgura.
The foundation already operates another home for homeless men in Gzira which last year provided accommodation for 98 men.
Mr Galea said the foundation had already embarked on its next project to provide accommodation for people with mental health problems, such as those who have been needlessly held at Mount Carmel Hospital.
The building is complete and will take about 25 to 30 people. However, Mr Galea said the home cannot be opened before they had a sound financial plan to run it.
He estimated that running this home would cost about Lm120,000 a year, due mainly to the fact that the residents would have mental health problems.
The newly inaugurated project in Valletta was acquired by the foundation through the Joint Office, with assistance from the Housing Authority.
Foundation chairman Joe Gerada said the home became a reality with the help of several departments, individuals, numerous volunteers and the television programme Tista' Tkun Int! which helped raise thousands of liri during an Easter marathon.
Dr Gonzi said this project was proof of what could happen when everybody pooled their resources and worked towards the same objectives.
The minister took the opportunity to mention the plight of the refugees who were landing in Malta at an alarming rate and appealed to the public to look on these people as human beings.
The foundation would be grateful for any donations which may be sent to the HSBC account: 39083522001.