The Bank of Valletta has sponsored the first counselling room for primary school children in Gozo. It is located at the Sir Arturo Mercieca Primary School in Victoria.

Christine Scerri, a guidance teacher and Miriam Farrugia, a social worker originally proposed the idea of having a counselling room within the school. Their proposal was accepted.

The Bank?s sponsorship was presented by Jack Thewma, manager of BOV?s Gozo Branch.

Ms Scerri said: "Children behave and think differently from adults and adolescents. So the manner in which they are approached for counselling also has to be different. Play is an ideal medium through which they can be helped to feel safe and thus to heal. It is generally felt that the need for counselling for children is on the increase, even at primary school level. Children going through difficult moments need a child-friendly environment within which a therapeutic relationship can be built."

Presenting the Bank?s sponsorship, Mr Thewma said: "Bank of Valletta is delighted to support this project which, we hope, will help to enhance the educational experience of the children who attend the Sir Arturo Mercieca Primary School in Victoria."

He explained that the sponsorship towards this first counselling room in Gozo is being extended under the Education Pillar of BOV?s Community Programme.

"BOV?s Community Programme for 2006 includes an Education Pillar which seeks to promote educational development spanning across the various educational sectors, achieving a balance between the various stages from primary to tertiary education," Mr Thewma said.

Ms Scerri thanked Bank of Valletta for its support. "We would never have managed to make this project a reality were it not for BOV?s financial support. We would also like to thank the head at Sir Arturo Mercieca school who kindly provided us with the premises for the counselling room and the assistant director of education in Gozo who approved and supported the project," said Ms Scerri.