Life (Issue 03)

LI FE

DE C EMBER2 0 1 9 ISSUE03

MAGAZINE

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LIFE

Are you an employer looking to expand your team or a jobseeker trying to discover new training and job opportunities?

Our job-matching platform offers interactive and dynamic functions by integrating jobseekers’ qualifications, as well as related skills, with the right vacancy whilst saving you valuable time and money!

Get started today by visiting jobsplus.gov.mt, call us on 153 for more information and follow us on @jobsplusmalta to receive regular updates.

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LIFE

E D I T O R IA L

Hello Life!

Welcome to the third edition of Life which coincides with the busy festive season. Every street, every house and every corner glows with luminescent stars and other decorations which sets the tone for the festive season. Every shop proudly displays its new collections which inevitably attract the attention of all passers by.

We are busy buying gifts for our loved ones and often forget that this time of the year is also about inner feelings. Indeed, the festive season should also be about happiness and tranquility. It is also about being in the company of friends, relatives and loved ones.

Above all, the festive season should reserve no boundaries and is an opportunity for all, irrespective of race, gender or societal background.

Life winter edition seeks to look at the festive season from various angles and from the eyes of different people from different segments of society. Thus, Life provides a 360 degrees perspective by looking into the life of aspiring and determined people and the do’s and don’ts this Festive Season.

The Life magazine team wishes you all a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

Editor: Omar Vella -

life@unionprint.com.mt Proof Reading: Ramona Marie Vella Cini Marthese Cauchi Design: Stacy Grech

design@unionprint.com.mt Front image:

Courtesy of - Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham Photos: We thank all contributers for providing photos and images.

Advertising:

adverts@unionprint.com.mt +356 2590 0200

No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form without the prior consent of Union Print Co. Ltd. While we make every effort to make sure that the content of LIFE is correct, we cannot take any responsibility nor be held accountable for any factual errors printed.

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LIFE

GETTING TO KNOW

Deputy Prime Minister Minister of Health

Who is Chris Fearne?

Born and raised in Malta, I am a very proud Maltese. My studies took me abroad for a few years but being Maltese also means being very loyal and that followed with many years in the public service as a pediatric surgeon.

In some ways I am a typical medical professional, I believe in staying fit and healthy. I like sports – and I don’t mean watching it, I enjoy playing sports. Then there’s the social activist part of me which guides me in my values and principles.

I am also a husband and a father, and those roles are very dear to me.

Tell us about how you became a leading politician after decades of being a renowned pediatric surgeon.

Professionally, whilst the two careers demand different skill sets , years of pediatric surgery and as a medical student molded my character. I learnt how to take decisions quickly, many times on matters of life or death. It teaches

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you to trust your judgment, to have focus and to be decisive. I am often described as clinical, but the skills I gained as a surgeon have proved useful, if not crucial, for my career in politics.

Personally, the shift to full time politics came after many satisfying years as a surgeon. I am able to improve people’s lives in both roles and that is what comes naturally to me as a person. I am proud of the work I have done as a pediatric surgeon and I look forward to being able to give back even more to my country as a politician.

What’s next for Malta’s healthcare system?

Malta has much to be proud of with its national health service, not only because it is free but because it is delivered with high quality care and service. The key to our strategy is to keep patients’ needs at the very centre of our work.

Healthcare and medicine are constantly evolving and improving and the goal for Malta is to not only remain up to date with advances but to be part of the advancement in healthcare and medical practices – through research and supporting healthcare and medical staff to grow and advance in their profession.

Patients will receive better care if we are taking care of the staff that support them.

Managing resources more efficiently, as we have done in the past few years will also allow Malta’s healthcare to be closer to the people so focusing on taking healthcare to the patient, to the communities, is another step for Malta that we have already started working on.

Perhaps the key challenge is sustainability.

But even then, a strategy is already in place to ensure that our excellent healthcare system can endure the ever-increasing demand of services.

We are upgrading and strengthening our health infrastructure with a number of investments, strengthening existing services such as the upgrade of health centres and clinics at community level, and delivering new projects, such as the new Censu Moran Paola Regional Hub and new Outpatients Block at Mater Dei Hospital. These projects will continue to support

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our vision of a more accessible, equitable and efficient system.

What has been your greatest satisfaction as Minister for Health?

During the last few years we have worked tirelessly to make substantial improvements in Malta’s healthcare system across the board.

This brought about ample challenges but also a lot of fulfilling moments I will always cherish.

However, the standout moment for me is the result of the IVF reform. We were faced with a lot of criticism and backlash, but I was determined to forge ahead, comforted by the fact that I was guided by one basic principle: that of helping those most in need. We stuck to our principles then and will do so over and over again no matter the challenges. Even if it had meant helping only one woman to have a child, to hold her own child. That reform is one of my proudest moments.

What is your vision for Malta?

There’s a lot to build on. The next few years will be about consolidating our many successes.

I want to safeguard our economy, but let’s not focus on raking in the numbers and glistening statistics. We must also ensure that our economy is not only making a difference to our citizens’ pockets, but to their overall wellbeing.

Safeguarding our environment is a must, and we have to do better. These two objectives cannot exclude each other but we must see that they complement one another. We must embark on providing decent, safe, green spaces in the very heart of our communities.

We must not forget or overlook how far we have come as a nation, especially in recent years. We made giant leaps forward across various sectors and will continue to do so.

Looking ahead, we have to build on the good that we have done, and we have done plenty.

But more importantly, we must start by also acknowledging our shortcomings. I’m confident that we can do this and so much more.

HOLIDAY

EATING this CHRISTMAS

C

hristmas is the time for us to enjoy family and friends more. It brings

with it an array of delicious occasional food treats. Although we do not

want to deprive you from having such seasonal treats, it is important to

avoid losing healthy eating habits gained over the previous months/year and consequently, piling on excess body weight over this period.

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Avoid ‘hunger’ when arriving at parties and Christmas shopping

Eat a light snack before arriving at a party. Eating a snack

Opt for a smaller plate and eat slowly

a bean burrito or unsalted nuts can help to control appetite

up on our plates. Choosing therefore a smaller plate will

high in fibre and possibly containing lean protein such as and avoid overeating. If short for time, grab a fresh fruit!

Avoid going shopping feeling ‘hungry’ as there is a tendency to buy and eat more high fat, salty and sugary foods instead of fresh produce and minimally-processed food products.

Studies show that we are more likely to eat food that ends

prevent us from adding those extra unnecessary items. It will also make the amount of food appear larger on our plate.

Eating more slowly reduces that feeling of bloating and being uncomfortably full.

Eat wisely

Stay well hydrated

by family and friends. Eat foods to curb your hunger, then

especially water. Water in-between sweetened and/or alcoholic

Do not eat everything at parties and/or at meals offered

walk away from the food table. Try to choose how best to

get calories from foods you love. Will there be your favourite dessert prepared by some family member/friend that is

only served once a year and you cannot resist? Have a serving and enjoy each bite! Allowing yourself a special

treat, is less likely to lead to wasting your calorie allowance on cheap, mass-produced baked goods. It is best to avoid

fried and highly processed carbohydrate snacks, since they are quite taxing to our body.

By drinking plenty of unsweetened, non-alcoholic fluids,

drinks will help to minimise alcohol and/or sugar intake and

their deleterious effects. If hosting family or friends why not serve some fancy festive mocktails such as sparkling water

with some fresh or frozen berries, orange slices with a spring

of rosemary or lemon slices with fresh mint leaves? It is a great way to stay hydrated, alcohol-free and feel great!

Get your steps

Live this festive season with ‘joie-de-vivre’! Adopting a healthy

Balance your plate

Aim to fill about half of your plate with a variety of tasty

vegetables (include favourite ones as well as some greens), a quarter with lean protein (turkey, fish and beans) and

the other quarter with complex carbohydrates (e.g. barley,

lifestyle including eating veggies and fruit, keeping a normal

weight, regular physical activity and good sleep patterns could help to better maintain good mental and emotional health.

Going to parties feeling ‘good about oneself’ will make you

more likely to keep within the limits that you have set yourself.

quinoa, oats, wholegrain pasta/couscous/bulgur, brown

rice, potatoes with skin). Vegetables and fruit have plenty of nutrients, antioxidants as well as fibre which keep our bodies full longer, offering lesser room for other energydense foods.

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STAY

SAFEthis

CHRISTMAS

D

uring the festivities, a key element to enjoying the numerous parties and general merriment is alcohol. Alcohol is an integral part of our

culture, so that there is no dissonance in our attitude to driving home after one of these parties. The legal limit

for alcohol while driving a car is a blood alcohol content (BAC) level of below 0.05%. However, although legal, even a small amount of alcohol can lead to harmful

situations. Some drivers do not even show any signs of

being under the influence, but that doesn’t mean that it is any less harmful.

Slow reaction time Alcohol slows response time and affects how quickly you

It is a myth that alcohol does not affect us or that we can

can respond to different situations. So if the car in front

time and has other effects on the body. There are many

will take longer for your brain to process the situation and

carry it. Any amount of alcohol can affect our reaction

of you brakes suddenly or a person crosses the road, it

factors which influence how we react to alcohol, such

prevent an accident.

as gender, age, physical condition (e.g. weight, fitness level), amount of food consumed before drinking, how

quickly the alcohol was absorbed and the use of drugs or prescription medicines.

Safe driving requires the ability to concentrate, make

good judgements and quickly react to situations. Alcohol affects these skills, putting the driver and others in

Lack of coordination Alcohol affects motor skills such as eye, hand and

foot coordination. Some signs may include difficulty

walking, swaying and inability to stand straight. Without coordination skills, a person may be unable to avoid a possible harmful situation.

danger.

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Reduce concentration

Inhibit judgement

Alcohol, no matter how little, can affect your

When driving a car, you need to stay alert

ability to take in requirements during driving

need constantly to make judgements such as

concentration. This dramatically affects your

and be aware of surrounding conditions. You

such as staying in lane, your speed, traffic signs

identifying potential problems and making clear

and other cars on the road. This significantly

decisions such as when a car unexpectedly

increases the chance of an accident.

appears in front of you.

Decrease vision

Do not drink and drive

Alcohol can negatively affect your vision, so that

Since any amount of alcohol affects our ability

uncontrolled. This can affect how you judge

this Christmas. The use of cabs or taxis or bus

vision may become blurred or eye movement

to drive safely, planning ahead can keep us safe

the distance between your car and other cars.

services are readily available at competitive

Peripheral vision may be reduced so that you will

prices. A designated driver who has not

see less objects when looking straight ahead.

consumed any alcohol can be identified to drive a group of friends safely back home.

For further information on alcohol, please contact Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate on 23266000, by email health.pro@gov.mt or on social media @HDPDmalta.

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Live the life you deserve

CONNECTING G E N E R AT I O N S

T: 2258 4200 | E: info@caremalta.com

www.caremalta.com

Dr. Z. Teebi

Dr. Z. Teebi is a Medical Consultant with a special interest in Allergies and Allergy therapy. He studied allergy medicine and graduated from The Imperial College London (UK).

Email: info@allergyclinicmalta.com

HOW TO KNOW IF YOU’RE HEALTHY ENOUGH

MEN AND WOMEN

12 HEALTH TESTS AND CHECK-UPS YOU DEFINITELY SHOULDN’T BE SKIPPING. We hear a lot in the media about health news and the constantly changing lifestyle recommendations, and it can be tricky to know whether your daily habits are really healthy. But there are few tests you and your doctor can do that will indicate whether you are doing the best for your health or whether you need to improve. As usual it is advisable that you sleep 6 to 9 hours each night, make sure that you are having a balanced diet and perform frequent exercise. You should do strength training twice a week and eat a diet full of vitamin-rich foods such as salmon, walnuts, and berries.

OK, so you know all that. You try to do all that. You look good and feel OK. But how healthy are you, really? Why? Because there are certain conditions that could be developing within your body but do not give you any symptoms at the beginning and you do not feel anything. But the danger is that these may give you medical problems on the long term if not corrected and taken care of.

The best way to go about it is always have an annual physical examination. A yearly visit to your family care doctor is excellent because not only does it allow your doctor to detect your health patterns year after year, but it also lets you learn about the latest health trends and get advice from your doctor if you’re looking to change your exercise regimen or medications. Plus, you’ll be able to track your status relative to the most important measures of health.

Make sure these baseline numbers are in check at your annual appointment:

Blood pressure reading 120/80 is great, but strive for 115/75. If all of these tests check out, you’re most likely in tiptop shape. But here are additional tests you can do to be even more certain you’re healthy enough.

Cholesterol LDL cholesterol (the bad one) and triglycerides should be less than 100.

Dental exam Couple this with teeth cleaning once a year.

Bone density test Women should have this test around menopause and men around age 60. If everything is normal, the test should be repeated every five years. This is very important because detecting weakening of the bones(osteoporosis) early can help in preventing or slowing the deterioration of this debilitating condition.

Mammogram This should be done every two years for women after age 40. Women who are at a higher risk for breast cancer can start the tests earlier.

Colonoscopy This test should be done for men and women beginning at age 50 and then every 10 years.

Eye exam No matter your age, get this test done at least once every two years.

Hearing exam The first hearing test should be done at age 65 and then every year after at an annual physical.

Blood sugar Your fasting glucose level should be less than 107—under 100 is even better.

Stress test Get this done once at age 50 as a baseline and then every five years until age 65 or if symptoms develop. Once you turn 65, every other year is ideal.

Waist circumference This should be less than half of your height in inches. Studies have shown that if waist is more than the above, it could be linked to a higher risk of developing medical problems.

Medication review It is a good idea to visit your doctor every 6 months to check whether the medicines you are taking need to be changed or the dose adjusted. That will prevent or minimize the potential side effects.

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PL

ushing the

IMITS

Interview with

AARON “WHEELZ” FOTHERINGHAM Pioneer of WCMX, aka freestyle wheelchair

Aaron “Wheelz” Fotheringham is a pioneer of WCMX, aka freestyle wheelchair. A fan and fellow-athlete favourite, Wheelz exploded onto the scene in 2010 after landing the first-ever backflip on a wheelchair, and he hasn’t looked back, breaking records and inspiring millions, all while fearlessly having the time of his life on mega ramps and in skateparks around the world.

Who is Aaron Fotheringham?

Aaron Fotheringham is a 28 year old WCMX rider from Las Vegas.

WCMX stands for Wheelchair

Motocross

-tricks

and

stunts

performed on a wheelchair in a skatepark.

Your parents refused to let your condition set you apart from

your siblings. In what way has such an approach help you

develop a strong character?

The way I was raised instilled

a strong urge to be independent.

Because my parents never babied

me I had to adapt and find ways to get things done myself.

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I read you were bullied at school. How did it effect you and how did you react to it?

Yeah I experienced bullying quite a bit in middle

school and high school. I always felt grateful because

for every kid that bullied me I had 10 that were on my

You recently noted; “that’s why I like the

skatepark, because it’s not like I was being treated differently.” What does the skatepark mean to you?

The skatepark has meant pure freedom to me. The

side. When I was bullied I wouldn’t get sad because while

skatepark has always been a type of sanctuary to me.

believe they were correct and I still believe that being on

off steam at the local skatepark and when I am riding

they may be saying mean things about my legs, I didn’t a wheelchair is more fun than they can comprehend.

You and your parents refused the idea of adaptive PE. Why?

I was never a fan of adaptive PE because I didn’t

want to be separated from all of my other friends and kids

Whenever anything was wrong in life I could go blow

there is not much on my mind besides what I am doing at that moment.

You constantly insist to show the world that this condition is an ability and not a disability. How?

I just want to show everyone that a wheelchair is

and to be treated differently. I did everything in normal

much more than just a miserable medical device - and

me because I would roll the mile run with the rest of class

through one of my tricks or stunts that a wheelchair can

PE just with wheels instead of legs. My coaches loved through a grass field just to show that I could do it.

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that it can be fun. If I can show just one kid with a disability, actually be fun - then mission accomplished.

PL the

ushing

IMITS You looked up at people like Tony

Hawk and Travis Pastrana. What did they mean to you?

Watching guys like Tony and Travis

showed me that with a ton of hard work you can accomplish almost everything. I would often think back to tricks I saw them

do, when I was working on something new to keep me motivated.

You also often insist that you are on

a wheelchair and not in a wheelchair.

Can you elaborate?

Saying that you are “in a wheelchair”

sounds like you are confined to it, that it controls your life. But by changing it to “On a wheelchair” it then becomes the same as someone riding a bike or skateboard!

How did YouTube and social media help deliver your message?

Social media and YouTube have given

me the platform to reach more people with my tricks. They let me reach more people in more countries and have helped

me inspire way more people than I ever

What role does adrenaline play when you are performing?

...that’s why I like the skatepark, because it’s not like I was being treated differently.

“

“

thought.

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Adrenaline plays a huge role in what I

do, especially while riding the Mega Ramp.

Sometimes the biggest trick is trying to calm myself down before the actual trick haha!

Your goal is to push forwards, be

creative and break new ground. So what’s next for you?

I would like to help progress WCMX to

new levels and I do have my eyes set on a double - front flip!!

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N B

UMEROUS

ABILITIES

EHIND THE

DISABILITY

Interview with

NOEL AQUILINA

Founder of Malta Wheelchair Basketball Association

by Maria Azzopardi

Sports is a unique medium that eliminates cultural and social barriers whilst forming a strong basis of inclusion. For a number of years, people with disabilities undeniably faced a great number of challenges of accessibility, discrimination and exclusion. Our society made huge steps forward in breaking these barriers and the mentality has changed a lot bringing forward the idea that even people with special needs can truly contribute to society.

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An example of this is Noel Aquilina who is

the founder of Malta Wheelchair Basketball.

His powerful idea is doing wonders in reducing the stigma and discrimination regarding people with special needs and

sports. Noel himself was born with the condition of spina bifida which is a condition

that affects the baby’s spine and spinal cord which don’t develop properly in the womb

and is a type of neural tube defect. 10 out of 10,000 babies in Europe and Malta are born with Spina Bifida and related conditions.

Malta Wheelchair Basketball Association

was founded in 2014, following an event

in which Candidates for the European

Parliament participated in. It was exactly in May of 2014 when Candidates to represent Malta in the European Parliament, decided

to have a try at Wheelchair Basketball, a sport which at that time was being played on a regular, daily use wheelchair.

Noel states that sports is very beneficial

from a physical point of view but most

importantly we can’t discard it’s psychological

positive effects. Infact, he strongly suggests

to keep on working together to increase awareness about sports targeted to people with special needs.

“What is important,” he says, “is that

parents should understand that it’s not

true that because the child has a form of disability they will hurt themselves by doing sports.” In fact, he explains that there are

people who do not have special needs or have different abilities that can get hurt and have sport injuries.

“I believe that if we work together as

part of a team, we can truly be stronger and

ultimately do the much needed difference that is needed in Maltese sports. This will

increase the wellbeing of society and works in being more inclusive and stronger,” says Noel.

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N

UMEROUS

ABILITIES

B

EHIND THE

DISABILITY

It was Jonathan Shaw that approached Noel

Malta wheelchair basketball currently meet

Aquilina, who was the CEO of Breaking limits at

every Saturday for training and also organises

to fully support a cause, a project, that is to create

nurseries and other. A couple of weeks back Malta

the time, and it was guaranteed that he was going

a safe environment in which persons with different abilities and non-disabled can meet, socialise and most of all, exercise a sport which was to be a constant sport for all.

For Noel, the sky is the limit. Infact he even

participated in the half marathon of Malta. “It is society that makes a person disabled. Behind the disability there are numerous abilities.”

friendly events with youth groups, running basketball

Wheelchair Basketball had the opportunity to confront

itself to foreign running basketball academies. Pro Sports Academy brought over to Malta two Running

Basketball Academies from the United Kingdom, which are Leeds and Birmingham and thanks to Petra Ellul Mercer, Malta Wheelchair Basketball had the opportunity to experience the game of Wheelchair Basketball vs foreign academies.

These past months wheelchair basketball in

Noel also participated in a number of ability

Malta improved with a good pace. It is now also

someone joked with me about the fact to do the

of 3v3 in schools will eventually also change the

challenges from which he learnt a lot. “Once challenge from Ċirkewwa to Birżebbuġa by using a special equipped bicycle. I remember there was

someone who said that it was impossible for me

to do it. But, not only did I manage to do that, but we also excelled in doing the challenge from Messina to Pozzallo in three days.”

FOCUSING ON “THIS-ABILITY” RATHER THAN DIS-ABILITY

being held in schools in the form of 3v3. The project

parents mentality which according to studies say

that, “parents, even more parents who have children with a disability think that if their kids engage into sports they can get an injury.” Studies say and show that injuries do happen in sports regardless

of having a disability or not. At the moment 10 persons form part of Malta Wheelchair Basketball

the correct number to exactly fit to the amount of wheelchairs available.

Thankfully enough Malta Basketball Association

Wheelchair Basketball is played in a full-size

gives a lot of input as it provides a room at Ta’ Qali

considered to be a great teamwork/team-building

and also a court availability in which people who

court, with full size and full height of rings. It is opportunity.

It also is a great opportunity to

enhance socialising (an all ability sport in which

all people having all type of different abilities can come together) and so it can be a tool to empower

Pavillion in which the wheelchairs can be stored come to training can exercise. This facilitates the way as no transportation for wheelchairs is needed.

Wheelchair Basketball is an innovation which

people. It is a great message that sports is

is bringing all together and reducing the mentality

of which everyone should be allowed to “speak” in

disability) and is bringing a new approach to focus

important for each one of us. Sports is a language his or her own way.

of “us and them” (non-disabled and persons with on “this-ability” rather than dis-ability.

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“

“

It is society that makes a person disabled.

Behind the disability there are numerous abilities.

IL-ŒOBŸA MALTIJA A UNIQUE LEGACY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

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Maltese bread or as it is more commonly known, il-Œobÿa Maltija, is a staple of our diet. No family can start and finish off a meal without a piece of fresh local bread. We treasure it and of course, we firmly believe it is the best bread in the world. And yet, very few know and appreciate the work, the time and the dedication required every day to make sure we can enjoy il-Œobÿa Maltija. For less than one Euro, we are offered the privilege to buy and hold in our hands a unique piece of craftsmanship. A heritage passed over from one generation to another which notwithstanding the stiff competition it faces on the market, continues to remain widely consumed and sought after by the local market.

Life recently met, Nenu Debono, owner and chief

The kneading of bread was done from the baker in what

attracted him to the industry, the history of bread making

Years after, a petroleum motor with a wooden machinery

executive officer of Maypole, who shared with us what in Malta and how the profession of bread making has changed over the years.

is called the żinġla, then with the help of horses in is-sinja. was introduced to the market which eventually was also replaced by electricity.

Nowadays the technology,

The young son of a third-

the machinery and better

generation baker, Nenu

hygiene made the production

always knew and dreamt

of bread better and more

to follow in his family’s

consistent resulting in better

footsteps. His fascination,

quality product.

enthusiasm and passion

for bread making paid off

The recipe of il-ħobża

comprising in a chain of

hundreds of years, is not a

Maltija, which goes back

with a successful business

secret at all and it is one of

shops spread all over the

the simplest ever. It consists

island, with future prospects

of a generous amount of

of expanding even abroad.

water, flour, salt, yeast

and the most important

Malta’s traditional bread has

ingredient of whom many

always been an essential

are unaware of - it-tinsila -

part of the story of our

part of the mixture which is

island and ever since the

preserved and added into

Knights of St John, il-

every new mixture. Nenu

ħobża Maltija was always an important part of our

compares the creation of the

cuisine. Nenu tells us that in the old days bread making

il-ħobża Maltija with a baby in the womb of its mother,

did this trade out of love rather than as a mere means

uterus, the dough of the bread needs its time in order for

in Malta was a very hard craftsmanship and the baker of living.

19 LIFE

explaining that like a baby needs time to develop in the it to be done in the proper way.

IL-ŒOBŸA MALTIJA

THE TRADE

that gave us

our identity...

20 LIFE

“

Baking is more than just a job... it’s a vocation

“

Surprisingly, the ftira, that was recently

number of factors that effected this tradesman

cultural heritage, most likely originated when

joined the European Union, a lot of traditional

proposed to UNESCO to be declared as a it was used as a means of testing. Nenu

explained that the ftira was originally a small

piece of dough from the Maltese bread used

to check the oven’s heat before the intended ħobż Malti would be baked.

“Personally, the news that the ftira might be given this honour was like winning a

ship. “Due to changes in subsidies after we

bakers closed down their bakeries,” he stated.

Other factors include high sanitary standards and hard working hours that undermined

the bakers’ trade to the extent that by time it became unattractive to pursue for the new generations and therefore there was no continuation.

big lottery. My dream is finally coming true

Back in the seventies the bakers did not

us by our great grandparents, will finally be

opening of school for bakers. In the past, this

because our hard work and product given to appreciated and nonetheless it will give our business the respect it deserves,” says the now grandfather of eleven.

Nenu travelled and participated in various

international bread fares and through these

demand a pay increase but rather an

tradition was passed from one generation to another but nowadays the new generations

would rather continue with their studies and seek other professions that do not include craftsmanship.

experiences he confirmed his belief that our

Nenu said that he survived in this business

be a source of competition to foreign bread.

throughout his journey where all of his family

traditional bread is very high quality and can It gives him pride to know that our Maltese

traditional bread is so unique. In dismay, he exclaimed that the bakers in Malta are not respected enough and that people do not

appreciate the time and dedication it takes to make the product.

When asked why there is a lack in people

willing to work in this industry, Nenu, listed a

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due to his perseverance and many sacrifices members and himself worked all week round.

He recalls how his wife worked with him

throughout their six pregnancies and would

only stop for a few days after birth before she returned to work at the bakery. Further to our discussion, he also explained that if all local

traditional bakers upgraded their machinery, it would be unsustainable given our limited market.

H

is an italian co

any

with a strong international ocation, which ro uces hearing ai s entirely a e in taly

22 LIFE

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The hearing solution for a customer who wants to hide the device inside the ear. This is the Horentek ITC. It can be done with two kind of battery 312. and it can be chosen in the plus version with a new generation receiver, with two cham- ber in order to maximize the quality of sound

Come in our premises to make an hearing test and try the different models ‌. and if you decide to buy it, the Hearing test will be free of charge !

Our hearing test is conducted in a Soundproof booth with the latest and most advanced technology available. The tests are neither painful nor uncomfortable and it helps the audiologist to choose the best Hearing Aid in our Range for you! Our audiologist is availeble every Monday afternoon from 3:30 pm to 5 pm For appointment please call +356 21239411-2

163, Gwardamangia Hill , Pieta PTA1311 T.00356 21239411/2 E. medical@trebeegroup.com W. www.trebeegroup.com Monday/Friday 8:30 -17:00

23 LIFE

ADDRESSING

THE MATTER

MIKE ORLAND

B.A.(Hons)(Melit.), M. FTSP(Melit.)

Operations Manager Community Services Sedqa

24 LIFE

Addressing the Matter

Earlier in August, NSO reported 6 road

and yet a person drinking and driving is putting

you attribute road safety issues in Malta?

fatalities in the first quarter. To what do

Drinking and driving is still seen as a small evil,

There are many factors which are attributed to

worse than giving a loaded gun to a drunken

road fatalities. Drugs and alcohol are certainly

person. When you drink and drive you are put

two key issues. Research shows that when

in charge of a 1/2/3 ton piece(s) of metal that

you drive under the influence of alcohol or

can move at high speed, and you are placed on

drugs (including some prescription and over-

a road full of other people driving similar murder

the-counter medications) you pose a danger

tools. LIFE met with Mike Orland, Operations

to yourself, your passengers and others on

Manager at Community Services, SEDQA who

the road. A recent research by the European

shared with us the impact of alcohol and drugs

Monitoring

on road fatalities, the role of SEDQA and what

Centre

for

Drugs

and

Drug

Addiction showed that many of the accidents

can be done more.

and deaths that occur on European roads

are caused by drivers whose performance is

impaired by a psychoactive substance. Alcohol alone is estimated to account for up to 10,000

road deaths a year in the European Union, one quarter of all road deaths. On the other hand,

it is estimated that more than 9 000 lives were reported to be lost to drug overdoses in Europe

(28 EU Member States, Norway and Turkey) in 2017. This is a serious matter as such losses have a direct impact on local societies and economies.

25 LIFE

Are we doing enough to ensure road safety?

limit. If the initial test is positive, a second test must

deliver a message for prevention and also focusing on

drink-drive limit may have their license suspended

I believe it is not enough. Despite we are trying to

cure, there is a gap on enforcement. The matter must

be seen as a collective effort where all segments of

society should come together to address. People must understand that everybody is entitled to have a good time but not to the detriment of others.

Are the establishments helping to avoid

problems related to alcohol? Do we go into

be taken at police headquarters. Drivers over the legal for six to twelve months and receive up to 11 penalty

points on their driving licence besides paying a hefty

fine.Sentences for drink driving should be increased

fivefold and jail term should be given as a default to anybody that drinks and drives. Malta has the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (2018-2023) which provides a concrete way forward.

ethical issues? Are there enough road blocks?

What role does SEDQA’s play?

public entities embrace such a challenge. They need

driving campaign. We believe that this is not just a

are reached. Alcohol is embedded in our society thus

Our role is to make sure the correct information

It is imperative that both the private sector and

to be part of this challenge so as to ensure the goals

calls for a collective effort from all entities involved.

Importers of alcoholic beverages obviously want to

sell as much as they can but they are also duty bound to ensure a limited exposure of their product to certain key segments of society.

Police also have a key role to play. They must

stop potential offenders over the legal drink-drive

Sedqa has embarked on an all year round drink-

Festive Season problem. It is an all year round matter.

reaches every level of society. For many years, the

legal drinking age limit in Malta was 16, but in 2009, this was raised to 17. We feel this is not enough and we

are campaigning to raise further the legal permissible

alcohol age. Moreover, we need to raise further public awareness.

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28 LIFE

A

ging population is a term which most people today are well accustomed to hearing about. The number of people aged 60 years and over has tripled since 1950, reaching 600 million in 2000 and surpassing 700 million in 2006. It is projected that the combined senior and geriatric population will reach 2.1 billion by 2050.

Most people understand the implications this is having in today’s world and also inevitably will have on our general way of life, economy and social system.

But although scientists as well as world and business leaders in their respective fields are working to find a way to mitigate the effects of this phenomenon, the real effects will only truly be known in time.

Solutions to this issue have been deliberated thoroughly with the common consensus being a two-part solution focused on keeping able people in work coupled with phased-in retirement, fiscal sustainability, and personal well-being to ensure a healthier workforce for longer.

That is how OK Medical CEO, Paul McAlister, is looking to approach this modern-day dilemma.

Founded in early 2013, the fundamentals of OK Medical were always to offer quality products at reasonable prices but always with an eye for customer service, a burning question of “how can we do the job better” as well as an open mind to current and future issues that clients and businesses alike are facing to be able to provide the necessary services, equipment and know how to assist.

Being in the business of supplying nonpharmaceutical medical supplies, OK Medical looks to offer a variety of out of the box solutions to ensure the wellbeing of not only their private clientele but also other companies. The company first set out on broadening the equipment solutions available to clients off the shelf, when they need it most. With a growing range of products, OK Medical now stocks products in all major area of self-care, dependent care as well a high dependent user which need such aids and equipment to continue living an independent and dignified life. OK Medical’s offices are located in Triq it-Torri Swatar. They can also be reached on 21470200 or email support@okmedical.com.mt

29 LIFE

A

FAMILY

TRADITION

30 LIFE

H

What are the origins of Roger’s Bakery?

IDDEN IN A QUIET STREET IN ZEJTUN LIES A CULINARY GEM WHICH HOLDS ONE OF MALTA’S MOST POPULAR FOOD TRADITIONS. INDEED, ROGER’S BAKERY IS FAMOUS FOR ITS CHEESECAKES PREPARED WITH THAT UNIQUE THIN CRISPY PASTRY AND CLASSIC FILLING. PEOPLE FROM ALL CORNERS OF THE ISLAND FLOCK TO THE SOUTHERN VILLAGE FOR A BITE OR TWO OF IL-PASTIZZI TA’ ROGER. THE OUTLET IS NOW RUN

BY ROGER’S SON, HENRY DEMANUELE WHO CONTINUES TO TEASE THE TASTE BUDS OF LOCALS AND FOREIGNERS WITH CHEESECAKES WHICH MANY BELIEVE TO BE THE BEST ON THE ISLAND. LIFE RECENTLY MET UP WITH HENRY TO DISCUSS HIS FAMILY’S LONGSTANDING TRADITION OF PASTIZZI MAKING, ON HOW THE PROFESSION HAS CHANGED OVER THE YEARS AND THE MISCONCEPTION OF PASTIZZI BEING ASSOCIATED WITH JUNK FOOD.

My parents lived in Rabat, the place where my

father worked as a baker, yet in 1968, they relocated to Zejtun. Whilst moving south, my father was on the hunt for a bakery. He was lucky to come across an outlet in

Zejtun which quickly earned a reputation among locals as one of the best producers of traditional Maltese

pastizzi. My interest in the production of pastizzi came quite natural since from a very young age I used to

help my father until the time was right for me to take over.

What pride does this profession offer?

It gives me a strong sense of satisfaction to see

people appreciate the taste of a good cheesecake.

Unfortunately, locals often take for granted the work,

the story and the taste in every cheesecake. It is part

of our culinary culture and we should give the product

more respect. Moreover, I am pleased to have recently developed cheesecakes which may be in a way coined as ‘healthy’.

In what way has the recipe of cheesecakes changed over the years?

The method remains the same, yet the ingredients

have changed significantly. The dough is no longer made with fat but rather with a healthier option, vegetable butter.

Unfortunately, there are many people who are

afraid to eat cheesecakes because of the high volume of calories. Do you feel cheesecakes should be considered as junk food?

I do not feel cheesecakes should be considered

as junk food. We generally focus on the negative

side of the product and often miss out on its benefits including the fact they do not contain any additives to extend their shelf life and that they are oven

cooked. Moreover, there are misconceptions on

the quantity of calories they contain. The figures

often mentioned are not correct, exaggerated and misleading.

31 LIFE

A FAMILY TRADITION

32 LIFE

basis?

I would say, thousands. Only big volumes guarantee

a stable income.

hawn tal pastizzi, sœan u tajbin tlett soldi l-wieœed, erba xelin

Do you feel the current price of cheesecakes is a fair one?

I believe cheesecakes are underpriced. The retail

price of EUR 0.40c does not justify the real cost of a

cheesekake and the additional expenses it also carries.

If you take into account all the relevant costs, it leaves you with very little in your pocket.

When are cheesecakes most consumed?

There is no specific day, yet cheescakes are still a

popular Sunday snack.

Do you feel this profession is in danger of extinction?

This industry is struggling like other similar sectors.

“

“

How many cheesecakes do you produce on a weekly

The young generation prefers to opt for professions which guarantee a higher income and less working

hours. This industry requires many sacrifices, long hours and a lower return.

Did you ever consider the possibility to introduce new flavours?

I kept loyal to the traditional flavours since the

demand for ricotta and pea cakes is still very strong.

Introducing new flavours is highly risky and time

consuming. We only change flavour on Good Friday when we use anchovies instead of corned beef.

Is there any interest from your daughter to take over the business?

I am currently teaching my daughter the tricks of

the trade. She is showing keen interest to follow on my footsteps and actively supports me in the business.

Hopefully, she will take over the business in the coming years.

33 LIFE

34 LIFE

SMAKEUP HADES OF Interview with DICK PAGE, Makeup artist

D

ICK PAGE IS A LEGEND IN THE WORLD OF MAKEUP. A MASTER WHO HAS LAID HIS IMPRINT THANKS TO HIS UNIQUE STYLE

WHICH MADE HIM SO SOUGHT AFTER. INDEED, THE ENGLISH BORN MAKEUP ARTIST HAS PUT HIS TALENT TO GOOD USE WORKING WITH THE LIKES OF BJORK, KATE MOSS, CATHERINE ZETA-JONES, HELEN MIRREN, ISABELLA ROSSELLINI AND JULIANNE MOORE, AMONG OTHERS. THIS IS NOT TO MENTION HIS RUNWAY WORK WITH LEADING FASHION BRANDS INCLUDING, MICHAEL KORS, NARCISO RODRIGUEZ, MARC JACOBS, MARC BY MARC JACOBS, AND UNITED BAMBOO SHOWS. BUT PROBABLY IT IS HIS PHILOSOPHY THAT SETS HIM APART. HE DOESN’T BELIEVE IN WORDS LIKE “AGE-APPROPRIATE,” “TRENDY,” OR “SEASONAL.” IN FACT, HE DOESN’T BELIEVE IN BEAUTY RULES PERIOD. HE CONSTANTLY STRESSES THAT MAKEUP SHOULD BE FUN, NOT A CHORE. DICK PAGE SHARED WITH LIFE HIS JOURNEY IN THE MAKEUP INDUSTRY, HIS EXPERIENCE WITH LEADING PERSONALITIES AND BRANDS AND HIS VIEWS ON THE INDUSTRY.

35 LIFE

36 LIFE

SMAKEUP HADES OF

Tell us about your overarching makeup philosophy.

Make it right for the job, the person, the picture,

the situation and try to make it with an authentic hand and eye.

Your first fashion show was Calvin Klein.

How did it go and how did it set the tone for other shows?

It gave me a stepping stone and the beginnings of experience.

You did the story with Kate Moss, Corinne Day and Lorraine Pascale. How did your makeup philosophy fit with their own personalities?

It didn't really have to fit their personalities.

It needed to suit the story that Corinne and Melanie Ward were aiming to tell.

You often stress to the need to have fun with beauty, since it’s a temporary condition and a state of mind. Can you elaborate?

Not much more than that. Beauty is very

personal, unique to the individual and makeup

is a temporary external expression of that idea,

and as such, it can't be invested with too heavy a meaning.

What makes a glowing, healthy looking

complexion your default makeup position?

It is so and it suits everyone.

What's next for Dick Page?

I have no idea.

37 LIFE

PHILIP GRUPPETTA SPECIAL OLYMPICS MALTA, BOWLER PHILIP GRUPPETTA

Different is Normal Different is Normal SPECIAL OLYMPICS MALTA, BOWLER

A campaign by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability to make persons with disability visible.

A campaign by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability to make persons with disability visible.

CRPD – G5 Offices, Psaila Street, Birkirkara TEL +356 2226 7600 SMS ONLY + 356 79788555 EMAIL CRPD helpdesk@crpd.org.mt – G5 Offices, Psailawww.crpd.org.mt Street, Birkirkara TEL +356 2226 7600 SMS ONLY + 356 79788555 EMAIL helpdesk@crpd.org.mt www.crpd.org.mt

DIFFERENT IS NORMAL A photographic campaign commissioned by the Commission for the Rights of Persons with Disability (CRPD)

Currently, in Malta there are 19,261 people with a

In honouring this commitment, CRPD works in order

of Persons with a Disability (CRPD).

discrimination against persons with disability or their

disability registered with the Commission for the Rights

However, they are still largely invisible. Where is their involvement in public life, education, employment,

that society may eliminate any form of direct or indirect families while providing the necessary help and support.

friendships, love and relationships? While huge strides

In a sense, then, part of our role is to render disabled

from images, TV, politics – even employment.

a

have been made, disabled people are largely absent

Our role as the Commission for the Rights of Persons with a Disability is to fulfill our mission of seeing that

Maltese society is an inclusive one, in a manner that persons with disability can, through equal opportunities

in all aspects of life, fulfil their potential as persons who enjoy a higher quality of life.

39 LIFE

people visible. That is why the CRPD has commissioned photographic

campaign

with

award-winning

photographer Darrin Zammit Lupi which will show a series of disabled people with various impairments

carrying out activities they enjoy in their everyday lives.

Seen together, the photos represent the passions and

aspirations of these persons. They are not victims, neither are they heroes, they are just people who happen to have a disability.

“Aħna “Aħnanemmnu nemmnu f’soċjeta f’soċjeta ġusta ġustagħal għalkulħadd” kulħadd” Onor.Anthony Onor.AnthonyAgius AgiusDecelis Decelis Segretarju Parlamentari Segretarju Parlamentarigħall-Persuni għall-Persuni b’diżabilita’ u anzjanita’ attiva b’diżabilita’ u anzjanita’ attiva

LIFE

L - O N O R E VO L I

Anthony Agius Decelis j awg u ra l ko m

Milied Hieni u sena mimlija sahha

41 LIFE

www.mazagafruit.com

Fruit & Vegetable Market, Imports Fruit Section No. 13, Ta Qali, Attard.

Tel: +356 2143 4668 - Fax: +356 2141 8025

LIFE

NO

EXCUSE

FOR ABUSE

In recent years Malta has spear-

The Commission also organises

rights by introducing legal and

general public on the different types

headed gender equality and human policy developments to ensure that gender equality is adhered to. This is no exception when addressing

gender-based violence and domestic violence which is a violation of human rights.

Particularly in 2017, the Ministry

for European Affairs and Equality

launched its first nation action plan to combat gender-based violence and domestic violence. A plan entailing

some 27 measures whereby various stakeholder collaborate and work

together to strengthen services for

victims and their children. Moreover, in 2018, legal amendments were introduced to include the articles

of the Council of Europe’s Istanbul Convention which Malta ratified

awareness campaigns to inform the of abuse (psychological, economic, sexual and physical) as well as to

how to file a report or ask for help

(Supportline 179). In fact, for the last three years the Commission worked on designing and implementing

the 16 days of activism which is an initiative introduced by the United Nations. This campaign included

training for police officer, managers responsible of human resources, lawyers and family doctors.

Awareness sessions were also

delivered to MCAST students, as well as to chaplains and ecclesiastical

communities within local parishes.

Social media was also used to raise awareness through short clips with various themes.

back in 2014. This new legislation,

As the new year is now only a few

and Domestic Violence Act, widened

continue to strengthen its work

namely, the Gender-based Violence the mandate of the Commission

on Domestic Violence to include gender-based violence. It also

requires the Commission to co-

ordinate services within this sector

and ensure that the victims are given the required protection in a timely manner.

days away, the Commission will by launching of an educational

programme for the youth in schools, as well as launch a research on the

economic impact of domestic violence on the Maltese economy. Training for

professionals and various awareness raising campaigns will also be on the Commission’s agenda for 2020.

Photo captions top to bottom: Awareness-raising session at MCAST. Training session for police.

Commissioner Ms Simone Azzopardi and office staff on a Shelter visit at Dar Qalb ta’ Gesu.

43 LIFE

NO ONE LEFT BEHIND

by Miriam Dalli

S&D Vice President Head of the Maltese Labour Party delegation to the European Parliament IN AN EVER-DEVELOPING SOCIETY WHERE PEOPLE FIGHT FOR THEIR RIGHTS AND WHERE SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES COME TOGETHER IN DEFENSE OF ONE ANOTHER, WE PRAISE OURSELVES IN BELIEVING IN INCLUSIVITY. AS A SOCIALIST MEMBER OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, INCLUSIVITY, DIGNITY AND RESPECT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ARE PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE MY WORK. IT PAINS ME TO SEE THAT PERSONS WITH DISABILITY ARE STILL MARGINALIZED ACROSS THE EUROPEAN UNION.

Sometimes we pigeonhole ourselves into thinking that inclusivity for persons with disability equates only to employment.

Employment is indeed important because it provides a sense of independence, but we must look beyond the disability and see the individual that is this person.

Addressing the individuality of persons with disability enables us to look at everyone in the same way. We each have individual

situations, needs, goals and aspirations. For people living with disability, catering for these goals may prove to be a more difficult endeavour.

Malta is an example of progress when it comes to legislation

that influences a more welcoming society, where persons with

44 LIFE

but breaking down barriers also requires a change in mentality.

No matter how good the law is, no change can be felt if it is not embraced by us.

There are different ways by which we can help people with

disability feel that they are indeed welcomed by society: easier access to buildings, sidewalks that are wide enough for a

wheelchair, the use of technology for communication in public services and more.

“

Inclusion works only if everyone plays their part in supporting persons with disabilities

Discrimination and prejudice limits access to education,

employment and participation in society. Limiting this access also restricts the individual’s participation in the community, limiting their growth in society as well as hindering their

“

disability can feel that they belong. Legislation is imperative

year’s budget, it was announced that the final phase of a

contribution.

reform in disability pensions will be completed in 2020, with weekly payments in this regard increasing to €161.40.

It is easy to fall into the pity trap. It is not done on purpose

but as a result of lack of knowledge. Despite great societal

This puts payments at the same level as the national minimum

be addressed. The key to address this lies in integration.

be equivalent to the national minimum wage. A grant for the

advancements, there still remains societal issues that need to

wage. The national invalidity pension will also increase to

purchase of specialised equipment for persons with disability

In recent years, the Maltese Parliament implemented

will once again be given, with this being capped at €1,000,

legislation that introduced a quota rule, obliging those who

which is €400 more than before. The medical criteria for

employ more than 20 employees to retain a 2% quota

disability assistance will be widened to include deaf or mute

of disabled employees. Malta’s ‘Persons with Disability

Employment Act’ speaks of ‘compulsory employment’, which

means that non-compliant employers must pay a contribution.

The annual contribution has been capped at €10,000 per

employer for every person that should have been employed.

individuals when they turn 16 years old, while there will be

improvements in the law to help vulnerable persons who suffer from disabilities or illnesses. Welfare measures must include

parents too. Those who are forced to stop working to care for children who have rare diseases will see their social security

contributions covered for up to eight years while they are out

Within a European context, the Socialists and Democrats

of employment. This means that when they are no longer

(S&D) are particularly concerned about the discrimination

employed, their pension will not be affected.

faced by young people with disabilities, and the economic

and social exclusion that goes with it. As S&D we believe that

Inclusion works only if everyone plays their part in supporting

Disabilities (UNCRPD) places the European institutions under

which allocates funding for independent living or educators

the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with a legal obligation to legislate in this area.

persons with disabilities – be it employers, the government

who will believe in the potential of all students, among many others. We must move away from a system where persons

Creating a workplace that caters for disabled individuals is

with disabilities are bystanders. We must reach a stage when

the first step towards employing qualified persons. When

even the socio-political agenda is led by persons with disability

a workplace offers support and encouragement, disabled

employees will perform to their full potential and be productive in what they do.

Welfare reforms significantly affect the already low living

themselves. We cannot speak about equality, inclusion and fair representation without ensuring that persons with disability are rightly represented.

We have a long way to go in bettering the lives of persons with

standards of disabled people. During the reading for next

disability, but I believe that Malta is already on the right track.

45 LIFE

NOW

IS THE RIGHT TIME

TO BREAK THE

GENDER BARRIERS

IN SAILING!

Interview by Melvin Farrugia mfarrugia@unionprint.com.mt

D

espite being only 19 years old, Gabriella Mifsud has already competed in two Rolex Middle Sea Races. She was introduced to sailing at the Vikings Sailing Club around ten years ago, later on she joined the Malta Young Sailors Club where she trained and competed in the Optimist Class where she participated till the age of 15. In 2012, Gabriella competed in the Euromed International Championships, where she won the Novice category. In 2015 she formed part of the Maltese team participating in the European Optimist Championships in Wales. Nowadays, Gabriella races in the Laser 4.7 category and is currently the runner up national champion for the category.

In our interview with Gabriella, she recalled her

experience in this year’s edition of the Rolex Middle Sea

Race as part of the all-female crew on the Jarhead Young

Sailors Foundation yacht. This was the first time that a crew of only female participants completed the race.

At first, it was intended to have a team with only

Maltese female participants. However, due to educational

commitments and health issues not all the Maltese female participants were available and therefore some foreign participants were added to the team.

The Jarhead Young Sailors’ Foundation is non-profit

organisation with the principal purpose of educating children, youths and young adults in the sport of sailing, as well as providing a training and competitive experience

on an offshore sailing boat in local or offshore sailing regattas. The Foundation contributes towards those

young people who are not in a position to afford a yacht

to train and race on by giving them access to yachts and qualified training.

46 LIFE

Gabriella explains that whoever is interested in sailing can

start training from around seven years of age with any of the

sailing clubs that there are in Malta (Birzebbugia Sailing Club, Vikings Sailing Club, Malta Young Sailors Club and Royal Malta Yacht Club). She explains that the Jarhead Foundations

has started promoting sailing in schools and offers classes to promote yachting and encourage young people to sail.

In her case, Gabriella had been chosen to participate in

an offshore race because she already had some experience

in sailing. For her it was great to experience the different wind variations along the race. She explains that at the start of the race the wind was fair and it remained so until they reached the

tip of Sicily and Messina. From Messina to Palermo the race

was dominated by lack of wind. Rounding Favignana , they experienced very strong wind and massive seas. This offered

them different challenges. When the winds were calm, they had

with each other. Moreover, Jarhead has offered them further

be strong and engaged while in rough seas.

Race they were offered to participate in other offshore races,

to conserve all their energy and remain calm, while they had to

As a team they were guided by the youngest skipper of the

Clipper Round the World Race, Nikki Henderson who despite her young age has garnered a lot of experience in sailing. She taught

opportunities in local races. Even before the Rolex Middle Sea

such as the Rolex Fastnet race in the UK. In the latter case the team members were mixed.

Gabriella is looking forward to continue to participate in future

them a lot of skills and tricks how to handle different situations.

races. Although, she explains, the group might be a different

that they only got to know each other only a few days before. In

willing to have her on board. The experience gained from the

She also coached them how to be a better team, notwithstanding fact, Gabriella recalls that she and the other team members had lived together on her father’s yacht in the week leading to the

race so that they could get acquainted with each other and bond better as a team. They had met with each other five days before the race and trained together for two days.

Gabriella is particularly proud that this year the team managed

to complete the race. It was the first time that a team made up of female team members completed the race. They made it to

one, she looks forward to be called by any team who would be

Rolex Middle Sea Race has given her a degree of confidence

to keep on competing yet she is fully aware she still has a lot to learn. Gabriella hopes that she could get the opportunity to join more experienced teams so that she can keep developing her skills. Yet, it would give her great satisfaction to crew with

younger sailors as she believes that lessons are learnt from every experience.

Gabriella concluds by saying that as long as you have the

the 4th position in the ORC 6 Category losing third place by 29

determination and the will, you can learn sailing and participate

Category. Overall, they finished the race in the 48th position

yacht, because if you are determined enough you can always

minutes on corrected time and the sixth position in the IRC 6 which for such a young team and a short preparation period

was a relatively good result. The JYS Jan crew consisted of three Maltese members hailing from three different clubs Lacey Aquilina from Birzebbugia Sailing Club, Emily Gregory from the

Royal Malta Yacht Club and Gabriella Mifsud from Malta Young

Sailors Club. The rest of the were crew came from the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Now that the Rolex

Middle Sea Race is over, the team members have kept in contact

in regattas. You do not necessarily need to own an expensive

find a place as a crew member with one of the competing boats.

She appeals to more young people to try sailing, especially

girls. This year it was the first one that a full crew of female participants managed to complete the race. The barrier has

been broken. Now there needs to be more female sailors and Gabriella says that they are as capable as a man if they train

hard. While the sport has been long dominated by men, now is the time to change tack!

47 LIFE

“ 48 LIFE

“

We are determined to stop domestic violence

violence.

“

and gender-based

That is why we have increased our budget to fight this social scourge by more than 70%.

#NoExcuseforAbuse Edward Zammit Lewis

LIFE

50 LIFE

SENIOR CITIZENS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY GIVEN A FREE VISIT TO ESPLORA THIS CHRISTMAS During the month of December, all senior citizens and people with disability, including their carers, will be invited for a free visit to Esplora. They will have the opportunity to engage hands-on with over 200 interactive science exhibits as well as enjoy Esplora’s breathtaking views overlooking the Grand Harbour. Dr. Pullicino Orlando, Executive Chairman, said that “this offer comes in line with our efforts to offer an inclusive and accessible environment at Esplora.”

Another philantropic initiative that forms part of MCSTs

together away from the work envirnonment. Referring

that have been conducted this year was an activity

one of our employees Sarah Spiteri said that “this

Corporate Social Responsability (CSR) actions

to the sisters of Saint Joseph of the apparition,

experience helped us appreciate more people like

where employees have responded to the needs of

you who dedicate their life to help others in need,

the community by dedicating their Saturday morning

while keeping in mind all the help that you require on

to voluntarily carry out some works at Dar Sagra

a daily basis”. It also provided a sense of satisfaction:

Familja, a children’s home in Żabbar. All materials

“we were very proud that we managed to organise

used were provided by MCST. In addition 12 new

the study room for you, where we classified the books

chairs have been donated for the children’s study

according to ages as well as language” she added.

room and library. Dr. Pullicino Orlando said: “MCST has put CSR at the heart of its working culture and

we believe that it is our responsibility to contribute to

Dar Sagra Familja is run by the Church and provides

pool of human resources and thanks to their support

their natural families. Apart from providing shelter

shelter to children who unfortunately cannot live with

the wider community. At MCST we have a talented

we managed to lend a helping hand in the upkeep of

the house.”The event also served the purpose of team building and could allow employees to spend time

and other basic needs, the homes seek to help

children deal with their past traumas and even provide psychological and therapeutic help.

51 LIFE

eSkills

eSkills Malta Foundation

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e a person ial. The mor ur full potent yo d chnologies an te h of tc y e up to scra ith a variet w ar s le ill op sk pe l g ta ople empowerin at your digi As young pe guarantee th eracy means encounter. lit no ay l m ta is ider Z gi ey n Di ns th .

Ge co ber of the ployers to interviewer m or device lp future em come for an uage, progra nial or a mem he be ng ts and en ill la ill en ey r w M th ud te is a e st pu g th tiv imply bein ndary school nologies, as any new com e more attrac co ch le th te se , nd n gy ng ha ee lo gi to er tw no t tech e of em e gap be sily learn knows abou to bridge th eir knowledg tively and ea lly expand th ind and tries k more crea m in ua th in in n nt is ca co th s ld ey ha so th ce week ce, they shou sure Experien the workfor Career Expo prepare for T IC e Th n. ai g easier to tr them as bein y. da to of the industry

The eSkills Malta Foundation has a key determination of bringing more young people up to speed on coding and other digital skills.

Initiatives such as the “EU Code Week”, “Digigirlz” and “Code like a Girl” aim to connect digitally educated young people with jobs.

development, including coding, software and application development, network management, machine learning, Big Data analysis, the Internet of Things (IoT), cybersecurity and blockchain technology.

The “Malta ICT Skills Audit” is another initiative by the Foundation that gives a snapshot of the digital and ICT skills and competences as required by the industry. This should help youth who are considering an ICT career, or perhaps already employed, in confirming whether his current skills need updating. The Audit promotes the use of ICT tools at all levels of education and ensures, among other things, access to education and research for people with special needs. The goal is to finally create a large cohort of ICT professionals who will meet global competitive demands.

Soft skills are skills necessary for effective collaboration in the digital economy. They include teamwork, leadership, communication and client focus, among others. These skills have become crucial in the digital industry and unfortunately not as easy to find as one may think. Many times soft skills differnentiate between one prospective employee and another to the extent of tipping the choice towards employing one rather than the other.

For the interested student, training for further advancement exists in Social media marketing, Youtube marketing, Search engine Optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), e-mail marketing, cyber security and social media policy. At the end of the lessons, a learner is given an internationally recognised certificate confirming the successful completion of their training.

Over the past decade, cross-industry companies have digitised their processes. Already, companies are using artificial intelligence to streamline workflows and supply chains. In this article, we discuss the top digital skills that young people should have in their portfolio to meet the needs of the industry.

Basic digital skills are generic ICT skills required for nearly all jobs. They include digital literacy, curiosity and love of learning, web research, online communication, adaptability and cognitive flexibility, use of professional online platforms and digital financial services.

Mid-level digital skills are skills that include digital graphic design and marketing, desktop publishing and social media management, both for job and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Advanced digital skills are necessary to create, manage, test and analyse information and communications technology and the big data generated by it. They also relate to technology

Some of these courses are tailored to make the young people fit in the fast-changing work environment, and moreover can be taken online through the comfort of their home.

The youths that are fluent in these digital skills and are also looking for roles in the new work environment will have a clear advantage over their peers with little or no knowledge in such skills. Businesses around the country are crying out for people with the right digital talent. This talent sits squarely within the young generation. It is therefore critical that young people do all they can to make the most of these skills and use this to show employers the value they can bring – not just to their businesses but to the future of the Maltese economy.

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Some advantages of using an insulin pump instead of insulin injections include eliminating individual injections, deliver insulin more accurately than injections, often improve A1C and results in fewer large swings in your blood glucose levels.

Using an insulin pump makes delivery of bolus insulin easier and in a more controlled manner, eliminates unpredictable effects of intermediate- or long-acting insulin and it means you only need to wear the pump and do not carry anything for Insulin intake.

THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY TO DELIVER INSULIN AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE AS NATURE INTENDED AND THAT IS BY USING AN INSULIN PUMP.

Innotech Insulin Pump is a simple to use and accurate Insulin Pump, featuring an OLED colour screen and extremely user friendly, Touch Screen, Auto-lock to prevent unintended operation and the ability to achieve a precise delivery of 0.008U per pulse. The Auto Basal Features include the Auto basal Allocation with a Daily basal that can be adjusted according to individual needs. Bolus features are also very easy to use with only one key to set bolus in 3 different choices Normal, Square and Dual bolus.

Delivering insulin via an insulin pump is the most natural form of insulin treatment available today.

Innotech Insulin pumps can be programmed to deliver different basal rates at different times of day. For example, you may need less insulin over night than you do upon waking in the morning, so your insulin pump can be set up to give a higher rate of insulin when you are awake and a lower rate when you go to bed. You can even suspend delivery of insulin if you need to, such as when playing sports, to stop your sugar levels dropping too low.

Not every meal affects our blood glucose levels the same way and insulin pumps can be set to deliver bolus doses in specific ways to cope with the different absorption and digestion rates of different foods. As well as delivering one up front dose of insulin, pumps can also be set to deliver special doses such as delivering half of the dose up front and then delivering the second half of the dose an hour or so later, which can be helpful for managing certain foods such as pizza.

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MALTA ROLE MODEL FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT ANTHONY DE BONO bestowed with the United Nations’ ITU’s prestigious International Award

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FORMER AMBASSADOR

my mentor in executing the Malta Master Plan for

Telecommunications Development – was responsible

ANTHONY DE BONO PRIDES

to mobilize a high-powered 18 experts in the field

HIMSELF WITH A CAREER IN THE

to form part of a Commission with Sir Donald

PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS

Maitland – a colossal personality of world repute

WHICH SPANS MORE THAN FOUR

- being unanimously appointed as the Chairman,

I was therefore in a position to advise the Maltese

DECADES AND IS PEPPERED WITH

Government to participate with might and tenacity once

IMPRESSIVE CREDENTIALS AND

we had practically an inexistant telecommunications

OUTSTANDING NATIONAL AND

infrastructure. I was lucky that the iconic Prime Minister

INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS.

Dom Mintoff was also the Minister of Communications

THE UNITED NATIONS’

and hence my direct boss, giving me full daily access

for decision taking. Being so keen on the International

AGENCY, THE INTERNATIONAL

front and with an insatiable urge for success I was

TELECOMMUNICATION UNION

watching like a hawk every step of the proceedings

(I.T.U.) HAS JUST SINGLED

irrespective of our limited communications facilities at

DE BONO AND BESTOWED

that time with hardly efficient international telephonic

HIM WITH A PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

connections and surely without Internet and mobility.

Prime Minister Dom Mintoff, having studied my

FOR HAVING SECURED MALTA’S

demeanor in this regard appointed me as the National

HISTORIC ROLE-MODEL STATUS

Coordinator and Special Envoy for the ITU in Malta,

FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS

backed by a strong recommendation by the then

DEVELOPMENT ACROSS THE

Telemalta Chairman Ing Maurice Mifsud Bonnici. So much so that I still recall my Geneva 1984 meeting

GLOBE. LIFE WERE EXCITED TO

with Sir Donald and his Executive Secretary John

LEARN MORE ON THIS HISTORIC

Gilbert to present Malta’s position and our intentions

ACHIEVEMENT AND LIFE ASKED

to develop our national communications network.

AMBASSADOR DE BONO TO GIVE

Sir Donald had just retired from public service after

US AN OVERVIEW OF HOW MALTA

an extraordinary chequered career. Hence, Malta was one of the first if not the first to present its

HAD REACHED THAT STATUS....AND

recommendations. A development well recorded

HERE IS HIS RESPONSE..

in a most appreciated credential that Sir Donald’s

Executive Secretary presented me in the years that

followed. Consequently with such thorough knowledge of the Maitland Commission’s work and the details of In the fall of 1982 the UN’s agency the ITU held

the historic Mission Link report that had to be approved

It was then, in my first year as CEO of Telemalta.

I attended alongside the newly appointed Minister for

Dom Mintoff on 7th February 1983, and as a

in approaching Secretary General Richard Butler.

from Nairobi, scrutinizing the deliberations of the

and with sheer luck as his next door neighbour. After

up a high-powered commission tasked to establish

could be the first client of the newly set up Centre

development across the globe. The then ITU

technical support to ITU member countries. My close

its Plenipotentiary Conference in Nairobi- Kenya.

at the famous ITU Arusha Tanzania Conference, where

I was appointed to the position by Prime Minister

Communications Dr Philip Muscat, I was comfortable

first international assignment, I followed the trail

He was booked in the same hotel that I was living in

Conference, which included the key decision to set

two breakfasts together I asked him whether Malta

the state of play in terms of telecommunications

for Telecommunications Development that provided

Secretary General Richard Butler -- eventually

friendship with the Secretary General Mr Richard

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MALTA ROLE MODEL FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVELOPMENT Butler gave me the unique opportunity to gain his

On change of Government in 1987, he (DeBono)

that back in Malta the then Minister of Foreign Affairs

managed to convince the new Minister that massive

favour for an accelerated approval. It so happened

was not only retained by the new Administration but

Dr Alex Sceberras Trigona asked me to attend a

new investment was needed to update the system and

meeting with the European Investment Bank to

prepare for further expansion. In one of the very first

negotiate a loan facility for the development of Malta’s

Cabinet meetings of Dr Eddie Fenech Adami’s incoming

telecommunications infrastructural network. A decision

Government which I then formed part as Minister of

was taken that once Malta presents a long term master

Education responsible also for Broadcasting, Mr DeBono

plan favourable consideration would be given to our

assited the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary, in

request. The close cooperation with the ITU was

illustrating the Memorandum proposing the approval of

providential in that I succeeded to get their approval to

the investment involved, for which at the time there was

recruit no less than 12 Experts in various disciplines

no budgetary provision. The wisdom of this decision

to have the report drawn up. This was done in record

was confirmed by the very positive developments in

time even though there was a change of government

this area and their ‘enabling’ contribution to so many

in Malta in 1987. I’m sure H.E. President Emeritus Dr

sectors of the Maltese economy. Managing Telemalta

Ugo Mifsud Bonnici would not mind in quoting from

was no mean or simple job, and it taxed all his talents

the credential he supported me with my eventual

in quick intelligence, organizational skill and meticulous

candidature for the position of the UN’s ITU Secretary

preparedness. His good international relations within the

General and which gives credence to these historic

sector brought rich dividends in foreign cooperation and

developments. His words were…

linkages with his corporation.

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President Emeritus H.E. Dr Ugo Mifsud Bonnici when he stated and I quote:

I started off by saying that Malta is a long-time

supporter of ITU, and an influential one at that. Malta joined ITU in 1965. Twenty years later, in 1985, it

helped raised the significance of the historic “Maitland Report” – the first report that underlined the direct

correlation between the availability of, and access

to, telecommunication infrastructure and a country’s

economic growth, and proposed concrete solutions to fix the so called “missing link”.

Then, in 1992, with the assistance of ITU, Malta became one of the first countries to completely

digitalize its network. This achievement earned Malta the distinction of being singled out as a ‘role model’

for telecommunications development at the first ITU

World Telecommunication Development Conference in 1994 in Argentina. This year, we celebrate the

The 12 Experts completed the assignment in less than

25th anniversary of that event. This is a moment to

9 months and in April 1988 Secretary General Butler

celebrate all those who have nurtured the relationship

presented the Master Plan1988-2000 report to the

between ITU and Malta – and none more than my

Prime Minister. By 1992 we had completed the project

good friend Ambassador Anthony De Bono, the former

8 years ahead of the target and Malta was the first

CEO of Telemalta Corporation and former Chairman of

country in the world to have a 100% homogeneous

the Commonwealth Telecommunications Organization,

digital network which included a new International

who acted for more than three decades as Malta’s

state of the art Switching Exchange timely provided for

special envoy to ITU. Dear Tony, thank you for all you

the services of the Bush-Gorbachev Summit, 5 newly

have done over the years and all you are doing to

built Exchanges, twenty kilometers of trenching to lay

inspire a new generation of Maltese leaders to bring

a national fibre optic network, a number of micro-wave

Malta and ITU closer together.

links covering the Maltese Islands and 10 digital local exchanges. Through this development and according to official statements by the United Nations, Malta

had graduated into the ranks of Telecommunications

developed economies and later singled out as the Role Model for Telecommunications Development during the 1994 World Telecommunications Development Conference held in Buenos Aires Argentina in the

presence of the President of Argentina Carlos Menem and the USA Vice President Al Gore..

Indeed Mr Malcolm Johnson the UN’s ITU Secretary General consolidated the above narrative during his

keynote speech at San Anton Palace in the presence of H.E. Dr George Vella, President of Malta and

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CORINTHIA HOTEL ST. GEORGE'S BAY

Roast Chestnut

Soup

INGREDIENTS

▶ Roughly 250g chestnuts in their shells – with crosses cut on top

▶ 1 large onion – finely chopped ▶ 1 celery stalk – finely chopped

▶ Medium carrots – finely chopped ▶ Roughly 10 chestnut mushrooms –

chopped ▶ 1 250g tin of chestnut purée (not the

sweetened kind) ▶ 2 pints of good quality vegetable stock

METHOD:

▶ Pre-heat the oven to 200˚C and place the

chestnuts in a large roasting tin. Roast for 30 minutes until they soften and darken

and begin to split open. Remove from the

oven and if you can handle them, remove

from their shells and set aside. ▶ In a large pan, sauté the onions, celery and carrots in butter until soft and the

onions are beginning to turn translucent. ▶ Add the chopped mushrooms and

roasted chestnuts, stir and then place the lid on the pan and let them sweat down

for 10 minutes. ▶ Add the stock and the chestnut purée,

simmer for 25 minutes before blending

until totally smooth with a hand-blender.

Serve with a swirl of cream.

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PUMPKIN & PANCETTA

RISOTTO

INGREDIENTS

METHOD:

▶ 1 Cup Arborio Rice ▶ 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil

▶ Heat olive oil and a touch of butter in a non stick frying

▶ 1 Finely Diced Shallot ▶ 1 Clove Garlic Finely Chopped ▶ 50mls White Wine ▶ 200mls Vegetable Stock ▶ 50grm Diced Pancetta ▶ 100grm Diced Pumpkin

▶ 20grm Butter Unsalted ▶ Shaved Parmesan Cheese ▶ Salt and Pepper ▶ Sprig Fresh Thyme

pan. ▶ Add the chopped shallot, garlic and lightly fry until

translucent. ▶ Add the pancetta and fry until fat renders from it. ▶ Stir in the pumpkin and thyme, cook until soft and add

the rice. Stir until rice granules are all coated in the mix. ▶ Blend in the wine and vegetable stock and bring to a slow simmer, cook until liquid is all absorbed and the

rice is tender. ▶ Stir in the butter and season to taste. ▶ Serve with freshly shaved Parmesan.

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DUCK BREAST IL CORTILE

photo by Alan Saliba

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

▶ Duck Breast ▶ Thyme

▶ Score the duck breast's skin, marinate

▶ Honey

SAUCE ▶ 1 Onion chopped ▶ 100gr Dried Cranberries ▶ Port Wine ▶ 200ml Cranberry Sauce ▶ ½ Orange segment

in the honey and thyme, leave

overnight. In a pan on medium heat, fry the duck breast's skin side down for 5 minutes. Turn it and cook for

another 3 minutes. ▶ Sauce: Fry the onions. Then add the

cranberries and flame with Port wine.

Add the cranberry sauce and orange

segment and simmer for 5 minutes. ▶ Serve immediately.

PEPPERED TUNA WITH NICOISE SALAD AND BLACK OLIVE DRESSING

INGREDIENTS: ▶ 8 cherry tomatoes on the vine stems attached ▶ 300ml olive oil plus extra for drizzling ▶ 1 garlic clove ▶ sprig of fresh rosemary

▶ Salt and freshly ground black pepper

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▶ 4 quail eggs ▶ 4 new potatoes

▶ 100gr green beans, topped but leaving the tail ▶ 3 tbs vinaigrette ▶ 200gr fresh tuna

▶ 50gr cracked pepper ▶ 8 anchovy fillets

▶ A handful of mixed salad

METHOD: ▶ To make the black olive dressing, combine all the ingredients in a

blender and whisk until smooth. Pour

into a squeezy bottle. Set aside. ▶ Place the tomatoes with the stem

still attached in a pan and cover with the oil, add the garlic and rosemary,

season and slowly bring to a simmer for 15 minutes. Leave to cool.

▶ Fill a pan with water, boil and

carefully place the quail eggs. Cook for 2 1/2 minutes, remove and

plunge in iced water. ▶ Place the potatoes in a pan, cover with water, season with salt and

bring to a boil. Gently simmer for

about 10-15 minutes or until cooked.

Refresh under cold water. When cold, slice the potatoes into 1cm

thick pieces and place in a bowl. ▶ Bring a pan of salted water to a

boil, cook the green beans for 5-6 minutes. Remove and plunge into

iced water, drain, add to the potatoes and dress with two tablespoons of

vinaigrette. ▶ Season the tuna with salt, roll in

the cracked pepper and drizzle with

olive oil. Place on a hot griddle for 30 seconds then flip over and cook for

another 30 seconds. Slice into 2cm

thick pieces. ▶ To serve, draw a circle round the

FOR THE DRESSING ▶ 100gr pitted black olives

plate with the dressing, place two pieces of tuna on opposite sides

▶ 10gr capers ▶ ½ garlic clove

followed by two of each ingredient.

Finish the circle by rolling the

▶ 50ml olive oil

anchovies and top with a half a quail

egg. Dress the mixed leaves with the remaining vinaigrette and place in the centre.

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