VOICES 2008

The theme for this year is youth; more specifically those aged from 10 - 19.  The focus is on the different day-to-day realities faced by this age-group across the social spectrum, with particular emphasis on the more challenging realities of some marginalised groups: child abuse, domestic violence, drug/substance abuse, institutionalised children, teenage pregnancies etc. 

Tell Me Why is the title of this year’s edition – why the poverty, why the violence, why the drugs, why the ignorance.

This year, the committee has decided that 50% of the funds collected will be dedicated to a major project, which aims to emphasise and reinforce the possibility of a positive approach to a more ‘healthy’ lifestyle, using music and arts as a focal point.

To decide on this project, meetings have been held with organisations that are heavily involved with marginalised groups, such as the Commissioner for Children, Sedqa/Appogg, Caritas (San Blas), the Jesuits, Suriet il-Bniedem and representatives from children’s homes. 

After carefully analysing the various proposals, the project which has been chosen is The Learning Centre at San Blas (Caritas). This centre will enable over 50 residents undergoing rehab, to acquire computer skills, literacy in Maltese and English, tuition in other subjects as well as access to music, arts, crafts and life skills.