N e w s l e t t e r 1 s t I s s u e A p r il 2 0 1 2
Young Women’s Christian Association Malta Welcome to our new quarterly gazette
F ou n de d 2 00 5
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Dear Members and Friends, It is an honour and a privilege to launch the first edition of YWCA (Malta) newsletter titled EDUKA. The title was thus chosen as we firmly believe that education is the key that opens the door for many opportunities, that can lead women and young girls into the labour market. The aim of this newsletter is to inform our members, supporters and friends of events and activities that are constantly being organised by our hard working committee. YWCA of Malta was founded in 2005 and was officially inaugurated 22nd October 2008. Our mission is to create initiatives and focus our work and efforts, for women who end up marginalized and excluded from society for one reason or another. To address some of these issues YWCA offers a Self Development Programme. This programme is intended to help women develop their educational skills, self esteem and employment skills. Along with this project we are involved in many other projects which are featured in the newspaper. Women in Malta have a long standing tradition of voluntary social engagements and YWCA intends to carry out this tradition stressing its work on fields not yet covered by other NGO's. Partnerships with other voluntary and government entities in Malta have helped the YWCA evolve into a respected grassroots organization. It makes me very proud that we have managed to receive a high level of acceptance. This is largely owing to our hard work in networking, attending endless seminars, workshops and other events at which we made our message known. I augur that the Eduka newsletter will be a source of information regarding YWCA’s work. Our objective is to make a positive difference in women’s lives. Mary J Jones
Who We Are - What We Do Allow me to inform you briefly about YWCA (Malta) Who We Are and What We Do and what our association stands for. YWCA is a non profit voluntary movement, YWCA is a worldwide organization that unites 25 million women and girls over 122 countries and 100 affiliated autonomous national YWCA’s. Our aim is to build an association that provides solutions, to sustain and develop the wide spectrum of holistic services to the underprivileged women and families. We are a group of women from all walks of life, who strive to improve the lives of those women and girls who had fallen on hard times, or are going through difficult times, our mission is to make a difference in women’s lives. YWCA promotes women’s full and equal participation at all levels of society through leadership opportunities and training. YWCA’s mission statement: Women Committed to the Service of Humanity Projects Our main project is the Self Development Programme which focuses on basic adult education on vocational life skills training. It also incorporates a programme which involves participants to train and learn basic educational skills in various fields with the aim of opening opportunities to access the labour market. Lessons are given by professional YWCA members and volunteer supporters. Ultimately the objective of the S.D.P. is to empower women with skills that relate to their talents, this will help to give a source of hope to women experiencing difficulties. Courses offered by YWCA are all free of charge. Furnishing Homes Scheme is a project that has the aim to support families and persons in need to help them furnish their homes and live a more comfortable life. YWCA collects good quality furniture, mattresses and white goods kindly donated by local furniture companies/shops and supporters. Items collected are supplied to persons who are receiving Government Social Benefits and other socially underprivileged individuals in need of such service. The Housing Authority, Dar L-Emigranti, Caritas and other Institutes refer persons needing such assistance to Y.W.C.A. (Malta) The Single Mother Support Group has recently been launched. The project has the aim to support single mothers with children from 0 to 12 years. Get together, socialising and talks will be held regularly. YWCA supports the positive development of youths and intervenes by offering social work service to individuals who are underprivileged or socially disadvantaged. The free social services that we offer will help to instill a sense of hope and will prepare women and girls of a lesser fortune to develop a healthier community. YWCA is working on an environment project (Greener Malta Campaign) which consists of collecting donations for trees which are being planted in the YWCA (Malta) - YMCA Park situated in Pembroke. Fundraising functions, sponsorships and activities are a very important factor to our association and are held regularly in order to sustain our projects; our movement is a care giving NGO driven by Christian faith whose members are committed to empower women through education and training. All content of EDUKA gazette is copyright of YWCA (Malta)