A group of seven students currently in Malta studying a Master’s Programme in International Humanitarian Action have recently participated in a clean-up at the Southern Region of Malta.
The Network on Humanitarian Action students are in their second semester of the NOHA Joint Masters Programme, following the University of Malta’s specialisation in Forced Migration and Human Security. They will be studying at the University throughout this semester.
Andrea Arana Lemus, one of the NOHA students who participated in the clean-up, said they were approached by the NGO Ħal Far Outreach to give a helping hand together with a number of refugees and asylum seekers.
“Particularly, I enjoyed how people with different backgrounds and nationalities came together voluntarily to contribute to the cause. I would love for there to be subsequent opportunities for us to show how we can contribute to the beautiful community that is hosting us”, Andrea told Newspoint.
On 27 February, 2021, they joined members of Aġenzija Żgħażagħ, the Birżebbuġa Local Council, Ħal Far Outreach (a local NGO originally set up by students of the M.A. in Humanitarian Action), members of the Sudanese community Malta, members of the Marsaxlokk Community Policing Team and members of the Ministry for Inclusion and Quality of Life, to clean up the area next to the John XXIII Peace Laboratory.
The clean-up generated no less than 20 large full garbage bags, which were then collected by garbage disposal personnel.
In a social media post published on the day of the clean-up, Minister Julia Farrugia Portelli said this exercise was a beautiful moment which shows how our diverse community can come together for the benefit of each other.
In another post, youth Worker Shaun Busuttil, who also participated in the clean-up, said he was impressed by the turnout for the community clean-up, and proud at how many volunteers came from all over the globe for a communitarian action.
Maria Mifsud, a member of the Birżebbuġa Local Council, thanked all the youngsters who participated.