Photo from left to right: Maria Vassallo: Operations Manager; Bernadette Briffa:Therapeutic Programme Manager & Residential Social Worker; Martina Attard: Care Worker, Elaine Pavia: Head of Shelter, Sr. Margaret Gonzi the Director , and Sr Doris Saliba, Local Leader. Front row: Her Excellency Dr. Marie Loiuse Coleiro Preca and Sr. Carmela one of our elderly sisters.
It was a special Women’s Day this year for the Dar Merhba Bik Foundation, a Shelter for Domestic Violence Survivors, their children and the staff as they hosted a visit from the President of Malta, Her Excellency, Dr. Marie Louise Coleiro Preca.
This official, yet very informal visit, made it possible for all concerned to exchange their concerns, future plans and aspirations.
Her Excellency was very emphatic in her address to the residents, their children and the staff (represented by Ms. Elaine Pavia Head of the Shelter), encouraging them to remain optimistic,  notwithstanding their daily challenges. 
President Coleiro Preca expressed her appreciation and gratitude to the Sisters of Our Lady of Charity of the Good Shepherd,  Sr. Doris Saliba, Local Leader and Sr. Margaret Gonzi, Director of Dar Merhba Bik Foundation, whom she said were pioneers in opening the first Domestic Violence Shelter in Malta back in 1980 and which to date, has given shelter and solace to over 3000 clients and their families.
She also thanked the Sisters for being generous and courageous in offering part of their convent, to host and care for a  community of migrants in the Balzan Open Centre through Sr. Agnes Azzopardi, an elderly Sister, and her group of volunteers who support her in her work. 
The President and the Dar Merhba Bik Foundation promised to continue working closely together, in view of assurances of resources and financial support to all concerned through the Malta Community Chest Fund of which Her Excellency is the Patron.
Adapted by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.
 
 

 
Voices of Faith is an annual event marking International Women’s Day, bringing together voices of Catholic women from around the globe.
This year’s theme was Stirring the Waters: Making the Impossible Possible.
RENATE member, Monica Chickwe, som, presented her reflection on ‘’Who is my Brother?’’ at the Liturgy held on the 8^th March. Please see the full text here….
Watch the Voices of Faith 2017 event at the Vatican, at http://voicesoffaith.org/event/
Please click the link to read: The reflection at Mass during the International Conference Voices of Faith, Vatican City, Rome, 8th March 2017.
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.

 
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY, 2017.  BE BOLD FOR CHANGE!
International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communities. It is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. Please click here for more: https://renate-europe.net/international-womens-day-2017-bold-change
 

Despite increased border restrictions introduced in 2016 on refugee and migrant movements to and within Europe, a recent UNHCR Report indicates that people continued to move. With restrictions and closures of legal, formerly accessible routes, more dangerous journeys were undertaken, with increased risks of trafficking. Especially vulnerable are women and children, in particular unaccompanied children and minors. Reports continue to be received about refugees and migrants kidnapped, physically and sexually abused, tortured or extorted by smugglers and criminal gangs along key routes.
The Report finds that the main entry point to Europe is the Central Mediterranean route, from North Africa to Italy. In total, some 181, 436 people arrived in Italy in 2016 by sea, 90% of whom travelled by boat from Libya. Of those arriving in Italy, Nigeria and Eritrea were the top two nationalities, being 21% and 11% respectively. The majority of new arrivals are people in need of international protection and are also victims of human trafficking and migrants seeking better quality of life.
A striking feature of the new arrivals is the increasing number of unaccompanied and separated children who have made the dangerous journeys, with more than 25,000 doing so in 2016. This is more than twice the number of unaccompanied and separated children than previous years. Unaccompanied and separated children represent 14% of all new arrivals in Italy.
Their perilous plight is not ended once they reach Europe. Deeply traumatised by the experiences during their journey towards Europe, separated from family, alone and without a European language in many cases, these children are extremely vulnerable to criminal gangs, traffickers and smugglers who await opportunities to take advantage of their obvious vulnerability. 
RENATE is undertaking a Mapping exercise on Child Trafficking in a selected number of European countries with the assistance of its Members in those countries. It is intended that the findings of such an exercise, which will be largely informed by members at grassroots level, will assist in guiding RENATE’s work in early intervention and support, so as to prevent human trafficking and exploitation.  
To access the fullUNHCR Rseport, please go to: http://www.unhcr.org/58b449f54
Prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications Person.
28-02-2017.
 
 

More than 3,00 people are trafficked into the UK every year, with the majority coming from Albania. Poor women and girls are mainly targeted, with many falling victim to mistrust in their ‘boyfriend,’ who often lures the girl into the trap of trafficking.
Reeta Chakrabarti, a BBC journalist, has been speaking to victims of trafficking in both the UK and Albania. Stories of brutality and exploitation are common to all whom she interviewed, girls ranging in age from early teens right through to adulthood.
Full report at http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-39046337
Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.

In a series of short reports, Sr. Monica Chickwe, som, shares a number of events which took place to mark the International World Day of Awareness and Prayer against Human Trafficking, 8th February 2017. Please click here to read the full report.

The Franciscan Church in Bratislava was crowded with people who gathered on the 8^th of February, 2017, the International day of Prayer and Awareness against Human Trafficking, to pray for the victims of human trafficking worldwide.
Fr. Felix celebrated Mass and his Homily focused specifically on the issue of modern day slavery and its impact on countless millions of lives. 
During the Liturgy, several Slovakian victims of human trafficking spoke of their personal experiences. Each story was accompanied by a candle, symbolising the light of hope and the candle was subsequently placed on a map of the world, as a gesture of solidarity in prayer for the victims of human trafficking worldwide.
The church choir, Chorus Salvatoris, accompanied the Liturgy with Taizé hymns.
An exhibition of photographs entitled ‘’Life after Trafficking- Life after Deliverance,’’ was staged in the Franciscan church. The photographs were accompanied by the words of victims, speaking of their memories, hopes and desires following their return to Slovakia.
A screening of the short film entitled ‘’Ivan,’’ took place after Mass. This film is an authentic testimony from Ivan, who was one of our clients, a victim of human trafficking who died on the eve of St. Bakhita’s Day, 2015.
“In conclusion, we share a common lamp lighting the candles of hope for victims of trafficking. The light has  to symbolise the freedom and dignity of every person and also hope for deliverance of all those in the shackles of enslavement.’’
Full details of the event are available at www.obchodsludmi.sk
Adapted and prepared by Anne Kelleher, RENATE Communications.