About Us

History

The idea of setting up a guide dog association to benefit the blind and visually impaired in the Maltese Islands was first put forward in 1997 by the National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD), the forerunner of the Malta Federation of Organisations Persons With Disability (MFOPD).

A small board of directors put together a set of rules and aims, and commenced raising funds for the enterprise. The project moved slowly but almost Lm8,000 (€18,500) was raised by subscription and donations in the following five years.

In 2005 it was mooted that the association be reorganised. In July 2006 a charitable foundation was formed with a board of directors representing blind aid associations in Malta and Gozo. The first meeting of the reconstituted board was held on Wednesday, July 19, 2006. Seven directors were elected, four of these from the following bodies: 

  • National Commission Persons with Disability (KNPD);
  • Malta Society of the Blind and Visually Impaired (MSB);
  • Torball Society of the Blind; and the
  • Gozo Aid for the Visually Impaired (GAVI).

The Secretary, Treasurer and another stood as individual members.

The success of the foundation owes much to the effort and attention to detail of the founder chairman, Ronald Colombo. Sadly, Ron passed away on February 6, 2011. His shoes were filled by the person who was among the first to receive a guide dog through the foundation, Joseph Stafrace. On 21 June 2012, a new Board was appointed, which comprised of:

  • Chairperson, Leone Sciberras (Torball) 
  • Deputy Chairperson, Christine Mifsud (Malta Society for the Blind)
  • Hon. Secretary, Lilibeth Cachia
  • Hon. Treasurer, Major Francis X. Naudi, FCA
  • Hon. Legal Advisor, Kevin Cutajar (GAVI)
  • Hon. PRO, Malcolm J. Naudi 
  • Member, Francis Tirchett   

Ex-Officio officers: 

  • Puppy Walking Supervisor Victor Delceppo 
  • Michael Calascione 
  • Noel Tabone 

Over the years, there were various changes to the Board. Mr Sciberras served as Chairperson uninterruptedly until 27 June 2018. The post of Treasurer was vacated by Major Naudi in 2014. It was first filled by Ms Elaine Cassar and, since 2016, by Ms Charlotte Cilia. As from 2018, it was decided that the post of Vice-Chairperson would be rotated among the founding partners, with Francis Tirchett, representing MSB, being appointed. The Board for 2018-2020 was composed of: 

  • Chairperson, Joseph Stafrace
  • Vice-Chairperson, Francis Tirchett (MSB) 
  • Hon. Secretary, Lilibeth Cachia
  • Hon. Treasurer, Charlotte Cilia,
  • Hon. Legal Advisor, Kevin Cutajar (GAVI) 
  • Hon. PRO, Malcolm J. Naudi 
  • Member, Alfred Reale (Torball) 

Subsequently Joseph Pace has taken the post vacated by Ms Cachia.

A statute comprising the Constitution, Aims and Procedures has been registered at a Public Notary and the Department of Inland Revenue will consider the foundation to be a non-profit-making non-government organisation. The plans for developing the Foundation were detailed in a five-year business plan which set out the proposed programme for the acquisition, training, supply and support of guide dogs for selected Maltese clients who are blind or visually impaired.

Mission

Our mission is to offer free services to visually impaired persons.

Vision

Ensuring all blind and visually impaired persons in Malta and Gozo have a clear roadmap to obtain their independence, at home, at work and in the community.

Values

  • Transparency – ensuring the process to become independent is clearly laid out;
  • Compassion – helping our clients to be resilient and acting as a conduit for our supporters and sponsors;
  • Dynamism – acting in a timely manner, being committed to deliver; and
  • Initiative – reaching out with clear communication, openness and honesty.

Goals

To be geared up to deliver services to blind and visually impaired persons:

  • training in orientation and mobility, including the use of the white cane;
  • provision of guide dogs and all ancillary training; and
  • training in independent living.