The ‘Ikber Magħna’ project has reached another landmark moment in its relatively short history. A Memorandum of Understanding between Optimist Club of Malta President, Reuben M Buttigieg and Swieqi Local Council Vice Mayor, Ms Mary Anne Abela, was signed today, inaugurating the ‘Ikber Maghna’ project for the children of Swieqi.
Optimist Club of Malta is a recognised voluntary organisation and is part of the
worldwide Optimist International Organization, whose mission is to assist others in
various regions around the world. The vision of the worldwide Optimist International
Organisation is to ultimately help bring out the best in youth, improve their lives and
the communities which they inhabit.
Reuben M Buttigieg, President of the Optimist Club of Malta explained how the ultimate goal of the ‘Ikber Magħna’ project is to help children with their homework and studies after school hours. Through this project, children between the ages of 7 and 10 from the locality of Swieqi can attend, and there they will find the necessary help. Mr Buttigieg continued, “Today we have around 120 children who are growing up within this project, we help them share their problems with each other and socialise. Generally when problems are shared with friends, the
burden feels much lighter. And then we have the helpers who help out both with
homework and studies, as well as in extra curriculum activities that we organise
during the year.”
The venue within the Swieqi Local Council, allocated for this project is equipped with
laptops, books, educational games and stationery which can be used by the children
while doing their homework and study. Educational extra-curriculum activities and a
number of talks are also an integral part of the project, encouraging these youngsters to flourish beyond school hours and provide them with valuable character-building experiences, which will help them well into the future.
Mr. Buttigieg thanked the Swieqi Local Council for their assistance and cooperation
which ultimately made this project possible, the sponsors who enabled this project to
succeed, as well as the members of the Optimist Club of Malta committee.
These sessions will be held every Monday and Wednesday from the 22nd January 2024, at the Swieqi Local Council; a project where children from the same locality will find the necessary assistance to continue learning, even after school hours.
