Lisa Maria Foundation in support of children and educators launched

Winston J Zahra on creation of Lisa Maria foundation. Video Ray Attard

The relatives of Lisa Marie Zahra who passed away tragically earlier this year today launched a non-profit organisation "as an initiative to transform a tragic experience into a positive and constructive project."

Founding member Winston J Zahra explained that the foundation's main objective is that of "safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young children and youths."

In the presence of Lisa Marie Zahra's father Tony, the press launch was also adressed by Education Minister Evarist Bartolo, who praised Zahra's relatives for taking the "high moral ground" in taking the initiative.

Stressing that a lot needs to be done, Bartolo said "the digital era brought big changes in school life, family life and social life."

He added that teenagers are spending long hours online, meaning that they are in touch with the rest of the world where traditional boundaries of time and place no longer exist.

The foundation's three key objectives are that of promoting effective recruitment and selection procedures for all staff and volunteers in care of children and young people, to clarify the boundaries between adults and young people and support educators on the dangers of social media.

“We need to ensure that the right framework is in place to ensure a safe and happy environment within which children and young people can learn and grow”, Winston J Zahra said. 

The Lisa Maria Foundation will work to ensure that the best practice policies, codes of ethics and behaviour, recruitment procedures, and training and support frameworks are in place so that the interactions between professional adults and young people are safe, positive and enriching.

The foundation will be led by a Board of Administrators consisting of the founder members, Tony Zahra and Winston J. Zahra, together with Pro-Rector at the University of Malta Mary Anne Lauri and Patrick Tabone. 

The Chief Executive Officer is Tonio Pace, who for the past 20 years worked within the educational sector at different levels and has direct experience on the issues related to the objectives of the foundation.

Court proceedings against Erin Tanti, the teacher allegedly involved in Lisa Maria Zahra's death earlier this year, are ongoing.