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In 1990, the need for respite care was recognised by the National Parents Society for Persons with Disability and in collaboration with the National Commission for Persons with Disability, the Foundation for Respite Care Services was established.
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Rotary International through its Malta Club were instrumental in the setting up and the opening of the Home. They continue to support Respite Care Services to this very day. Dar il-Kaptan at Mtarfa, was officially inaugurated on the 10th November 1991. It houses the administration and the Residential Respite Home of the Foundation. |
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Rotary, a worldwide organisation of business and professional leaders, has a long tradition of supporting charitable non-profit organisations. In Malta, Rotary has had very close links with the Foundation for Respite Care Services, ever since the latter was set up in 1990. The Foundation was formed jointly by the National Commission Persons with Disability and the National Parents' Society for Disabled Persons. It has the aim of ensuring that families receive the adequate support and the necessary respite, so that disabled people can remain in their family home and continue to live in their community.
In fact, it was thanks to Rotary in Malta that the Foundation could open its respite care home in Mtarfa in 1991. Dar il-Kaptan, run by the Foundation, today offers residential and day respite care to over 200 persons with disability. They usually spend from a day to a week (or longer if necessary) at the home. These stays offer respite for family members as well as a welcome break from daily routine for disabled people.
Dar il-Kaptan was recently visited by a delegation from Rotary International. This comprised, among others, current Rotary District Governor, Carlo Marullo di Condojanni, the incoming Governor Marchese De Gregorio, as well as Ferdinando Testoni Blanco, who will become Governor in July 2004. Assistant Governor Ray Miller, the Presidents of the two Maltese Rotary Clubs, Alfred Mangion and Diane Cassar were also present.
The delegation was met by Deputy Chairman of the home William Caruana, who is also a Rotarian (Chairman Marcel Pisani was away), Frank Salt, Rotary representative on the Board of the Foundation, and Caroline Spiteri, Care Services Manager. Ms Spiteri gave an overview of the services and amenities available at Dar il-Kaptan.
Through this visit, the Rotary representatives could witness at first hand the way the club's generous donations are being used. These donations, which are raised from Rotary members as well as through fund-raising activities, have been a constant feature over the last decade and have helped the Foundation in its constant struggle to make ends meet. Running a respite care home and ensuring the provision of excellent services for clients does not come cheaply. While the government provides around 60% of the funding, the Foundation has to work very hard to ensure that enough money is raised to cover the remaining 40%.
The result is a service that is invaluable for those who use it. This is evident
from the fact that clients return to Dar il-Kaptan time and again as well as
from the positive feedback that staff and management get from clients and their
families.
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