Published on Wednesday, 5, November, 2008 at 15:22 in Gozo News | 1 Comment

Astrid Vella awarded SOS Malta Award for Volunteering 2008

Astrid Vella receives SOS Malta Award for Volunteering 2008 from Prime Minister GonziAstrid Vella, the coordinator of the environmental NGO Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA), has been awarded the SOS Malta Award for Volunteering 2008 at an award giving ceremony this afternoon. The Prime Minister, Dr Lawrence Gonzi, presented Ms Vella with a bronze trophy designed by sculptor Damien Darmanin.

Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar (FAA) is a non political pressure group composed of citizens who are concerned about the threat to Malta’s heritage and environmental well-being caused by over-development of our islands.

Astrid Vella is one of the founding members of the Environmental NGO, which was formed in 2006 and fights tirelessly for the preservation of Malta and Gozo’s countryside, architectural heritage and against excessive development throughout the islands.

Ms Vella will also be travelling to Strasbourg on December the 5th, International Volunteer Day, as the Maltese nominee for the European Trophy of Voluntary Work.

The award is given annually by SOS Malta, SOS Malta, is a Maltese-registered NGO set up in 1991, which aids people experiencing times of crisis and empowers them by providing support services and opportunities to implement development and change in their country to ensure a better quality of life.

It encourages advocacy on behalf of social causes, as well as promotes models of good care and practice. In all its operations in Malta and overseas SOS Malta also promotes volunteerism for effective sustainable development. The organisation is a source of knowledge and advice about the role and contribution of volunteerism and the benefits of civic engagement.

Through its development department, SOS Malta carries out emergency aid, promotion of the Millennium Development Goals and development work overseas. It has operated various relief missions and development projects in overseas countries. They are present in Albania, Kosovo and Sri Lanka.

1 Comment

  1. Swimmer

    I was very pleased to read the above article which stated that Astrid Vella received the SOS Malta Award for Volunteering 2008. She definitely deserves it.

    I know Astrid well enough to know how hard she works day and night literally.

    Since she formed FAA, she has managed to make a lot of changes in regards to environmental issues. She has also managed to make politicians listen to her. Also she has managed to get a lot of people on her side by making them aware that if we put enough pressure on the authorities we can achieve results.

    Everyone remembers the SAVE GOZO protest in Malta and I believe that since that protest things have changed for the better in regards to the environment. (Even though a lot more needs to be done but like Astrid we won’t give up)

    Astrid once an article was written about you on one of the local papers and the title read ONE SMALL BIG WOMAN and that says it all.

    Well done Astrid.

    Next should be Gieh ir-Repubbika:)

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