Online community initiative brings books to vulnerable children in Malta

Nowadays, children have lots of toys but fewer books around; this is even more so in low-income households.

Studies suggest that children who read for enjoyment every day develop a broader vocabulary, increase general knowledge and better understand other cultures. Having books around at home not only encourages children to read more but is an essential step in securing their success later in life.

Unfortunately, despite continuous advancements in Malta’s economy and standard of living, some families are still struggling to provide even the bare necessities due to limited budgets. This situation leaves vulnerable children starved of their little home library and easy access to reading daily.

Malta has one of the EU’s highest illiteracy rates and making books more readily available can go a long way to help address this weakness.

To help make a difference, especially around this time of year, the Foundation for Social Welfare Services (FSWS) has teamed up with Agendabookshop.com, the website portal for Agenda – Malta’s leading book vendors. Together, they’re running a noble initiative entitled Agenda Bookshop – Books make a difference to help vulnerable kids enjoy better access to books.

As the year draws to an end, many people and even companies look for good causes which they can support. Books don’t cost a fortune but make a huge difference in young children’s lives.

“FSWS sees books as a catalyst to invest in the well-being, education and formation of children, irrespective of their social or financial background. Through reading, children increase their literacy and vocabulary, but especially develop their imagination and creativity, expand their knowledge and learn important values and lessons that can be transposed to their daily living. By collaborating with Agenda Bookshop, we are helping many families and children in need to achieve this. A small donation will go a long way to improve a child’s opportunities for future success,” said Jean-Paul Zammit Grech, senior Community Development worker at FSWS.

How does this initiative work? The Foundation has identified some 90 children in Malta and is appealing to the public to help ensure that all these children will have books in 2022!

Every month Agendabookshop.com will be sending each child a book bundle worth €20 – depending on their taste and age group. Agendabookshop.com will sponsor half the value (€10), and the public is being invited to help raise the remaining €10. Depending on one’s budget, one can opt to sponsor a child for a whole year or as little as a month or two.

“At Agenda Bookshop, we are passionate about making children happy, which is why we have teamed up with the Foundation for Welfare Services in a community project that works to ensure that every child has their little library at home. Books make a difference so let’s leave no child behind,” said Louise Attard, ECommerce manager Agenda Bookshop.

To donate is easy and it’s all done online by visiting https://bit.ly/HelpKids2Read. The system is both safe and fun to use. Donors will receive a certificate with every order via email, which they can forward or print as a gift.