Minn Qalb Għal L-Oħra

Minn Qalb Għal L-Oħra

(From One Heart to Another)
Led by: Doninu (Malta) International
Project Type: Child-Led Hospital Outreach – Joy & Compassion Initiative
Area of Operation: Paediatric Wards in Hospitals across Malta
Languages: Maltese and English
Non-Monetary, Volunteer-Based

1. Project Summary

EN:
Minn Qalb Għal L-Oħra is a child-led hospital outreach project developed by Doninu (Malta) International. It involves groups of children volunteers visiting children in hospital paediatric wards to bring joy, companionship, and comfort through play, storytelling, and gift-giving. The visiting children dress up in colourful clown costumes, share sweets and small symbolic gifts, and engage the hospitalised children in gentle play and reading sessions.

This initiative promotes compassion, solidarity, and inter-child empathy, creating a safe and uplifting environment for children undergoing medical treatment. The project is strictly non-political, non-commercial, and runs without collecting any money.

MT:
Minn Qalb Għal L-Oħra huwa proġett ta’ żjara ta’ mħabba fl-isptarijiet, mmexxi minn tfal voluntiera bħala parti minn Doninu (Malta) International. F’dan il-proġett, tfal jżuru tfal oħra morda ġewwa s-swali tat-tfal fl-isptarijiet biex jagħtuhom ftit ferħ, kuraġġ u kumpanija permezz ta’ logħob ħafif, qari ta’ stejjer u tqassim ta’ ħelu u rigali żgħar.

It-tfal li jżuru jkunu libsin kostumi ta’ buffi, biex joħolqu atmosfera ta’ daħk, tama u tama simbolika. Din l-inizjattiva tgħin fit-tisħiħ tal-valuri ta’ empatija u mħabba bejn it-tfal. Il-proġett huwa bla skop ta’ qligħ, bla politika, u mingħajr ġbir ta’ flus.

2. Mission Statement

EN:
To bring happiness and human warmth from one child’s heart to another’s—transforming a hospital room into a space of colour, laughter, and care.

MT:
Biex inwasslu ferħ u mħabba minn qalb ta’ tifel jew tifla għal oħra—u nibdlu l-kamra ta’ sptar f’ambjent ta’ kulur, tbissima u kuraġġ.

3. Objectives

  • Offer emotional and social support to children in hospital through peer visits
  • Reduce feelings of fear, isolation, or sadness among paediatric patients
  • Empower healthy children to express empathy and solidarity
  • Promote voluntary action and kindness among young people
  • Celebrate joy and connection without the use of money or material excess

4. Target Beneficiaries

  • Children currently admitted to hospital paediatric wards
  • Siblings or parents of children in treatment
  • Visiting child volunteers who learn the value of giving
  • Medical staff who benefit from a lighter atmosphere in the ward

5. Activities

EN:

  • Playtime visits in a calm and supervised setting
  • Reading sessions: volunteers read stories to the patients or listen to them
  • Gift-giving: sweets, stickers, handmade drawings, or child-crafted bookmarks
  • Dressing up: visitors wear clown costumes, funny hats, or cheerful accessories
  • Music or gentle singing (if allowed by hospital staff)
  • Silent presence and smiles, especially for patients who may not feel like speaking

MT:

  • Logħob u żjara f’ambjent sigur u bil-kontroll tal-istaff
  • Qari ta’ stejjer jew smigħ tat-tfal li jridu jirrakkontaw
  • Rigali simboliċi bħal ħelu, stikers, pitturi, jew bookmarks magħmula mit-tfal
  • Ilbies ta’ buffi: costumes ta’ daħk, kpiepel sbieħ, u aċċessorji ferrieħa
  • Mużika ħafifa jew kant ferrieħi jekk permess
  • Preżenza siekta u tbissima—anki meta t-tfal mhumiex f’burdata biex jitkellmu

6. Safety & Ethics Guidelines

  • All activities are approved by hospital administration beforehand
  • Child volunteers are accompanied by adult guardians or educators
  • Strict hygiene and safety protocols followed
  • No photography, social media, or public exposure of hospitalised children
  • Inclusion: children of all abilities, backgrounds, and conditions are welcomed equally

7. Collaborations

  • Hospitals and paediatric wards (for scheduling and supervision)
  • Schools and families (for preparation and guidance)
  • Local artists, teachers, or theatre groups (for costumes or storytelling)
  • NGOs or health charities (for small in-kind donations like colouring books or soft toys)

8. Sustainability

This project relies on:

  • The generosity and energy of children who want to bring joy to others
  • Donations in kind (e.g., costumes, stickers, storybooks)
  • Rotating visits (monthly or seasonal) based on school or holiday schedules
  • Strengthening the culture of empathy in communities from a young age

9. Conclusion

EN:
No child should feel forgotten, especially when ill. Minn Qalb Għal L-Oħra creates a bridge of joy and solidarity between children—without money, without labels, and without expectations. It is a celebration of the best that humanity can offer: a kind heart, a moment of fun, and the magic of being seen.

MT:
L-ebda tifel jew tifla m’għandu jħossu minsi/ja—speċjalment meta jkun marid. Minn Qalb Għal L-Oħra joħloq pont ta’ mħabba u solidarjetà bejn it-tfal—mingħajr flus, mingħajr ġudizzju, u mingħajr kundizzjonijiet. Hija ċelebrazzjoni ta’ dak li hu verament sabiħ fil-bniedem: qalb tajba, mument ta’ ferħ, u l-maġija li xi ħadd jarak.