In praise of our volunteers

The voluntary sector in Malta is strong and getting even stronger thanks to growing support from the government, private entities and well-wishers who donate whenever their support is required.

Volunteers keep our traditions alive, do sterling work in the social and philanthropic sectors, and provide health and protection services, among other forms of support. They make up the core of what is today a generous and vibrant Maltese society.

This is why we are always ready, able and willing to help our volunteers expand their experience by witnessing the realities other volunteers across the world face every day. This in turn helps them refine their skills in the face of the inevitability of new challenges and situations.

As we celebrate the UN International Year of Volunteers for Sustainable Development, it is with much contentment that we continue to ensure our volunteers are provided with opportunities to do overseas voluntary work. During the past nine years, 182 young men and women from 43 different voluntary organisations in Malta and Gozo have been to places like Kenya, Ghana, the Philippines, Cambodia, Paraguay and Peru, where they played a fundamental part in school-building projects, teaching, improving sanitary facilities, food distribution, and participating in hygiene and health campaigns.

This of course would not have been possible without institutional support. In this case a total investment of €227,000 was made in the Youth Volunteer Overseas Scheme issued by the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector (MCVS).

The scheme helps 18-to-35-year-olds go on overseas voluntary work for a period of between a fortnight and three months. A €2,500 grant covers mobility, flights and insurance expenses. Young men and women in the voluntary sector can, through their respective registered organisations, still participate in this programme by submitting their applications via the MCVS portal volunteers.mt. We are also providing for an over-35-year-old leader to be included; to help in the coordination and implementation of the project entrusted to them.

It was a pleasure, recently, visiting Karibu Malta, the volunteer organisation based at Marsa and working in the sector since 2013. The organisation assists and finances missionary work in various countries where basic educational support is essential. The Youth Volunteer Overseas Scheme has been crucial in helping the organisation send members on projects abroad.

During our meeting, I explained the government’s strong commitment to bolstering the voluntary sector by way of encouraging positive social change among the younger generation. The investment in the Youth Volunteer Overseas Scheme and other initiatives clearly show where our priorities lie—the creation of opportunities, active citizens, and putting Malta at the forefront in the promotion of European values such as solidarity and inclusion.

Going overseas to gain such experiences gives our youth the tonic they need in life and a unique feeling as they bond with other young men and women from around the world. They come back to us stronger in their convictions, their aspirations, and their perspectives, ensuring Maltese society and the voluntary sector benefit from their renewed dedication and motivation.