GozoNews.Com

Over 80 children joined BirdLife Malta and Bank of Valletta on Sunday for a 12 km marathon that started in Rabat, Malta and ended near is-Simar Nature Reserve in Xemxija. This marathon is an opportunity for members of Klabb Huttaf, BirdLife’s branch for under-18 year olds, to play their part in work towards a better environment, and in this way also help the organisation of which they form part.

This time round, as on other occasions, primary school students participating in BirdLife’s education project Dinja Wahda took part. This year saw BOV, BirdLife’s Education Partner on the Dinja Wahda project, joining forces with staff members and their families accompanying the group to celebrate the Maltese countryside. Primary school teachers and Maltese families also joined in.

Every year Klabb Huttaf members collect money which goes towards a particular BirdLife project. The money raised last year was used to buy a grass cutter which is being used by FORESTA 2000’s ranger. This year the funds will go towards the purchase of optical equipment for is-Simar Nature Reserve.

Desireé Falzon, BirdLife’s Education Coordinator explained: “Through this annual sponsored walk, we involve Klabb Huttaf children in conservation in a direct, practical way. Of course, children also come to the walk because it’s fun, but they’re proud of contributing to a BirdLife project. In fact, we target the funds towards something concrete that the kids can see if they visit our reserves or if we go to schools with it. Since Dinja Wahda in schools is also about practical action for conservation, Klabb Huttaf has this year teamed up with schoolchildren in this action.”

Mark Marmara, Manager Quality and CSR at Bank of Valletta thanked the BirdLife representatives for their invitation. Speaking about BOV’s involvement, he said, “At BOV, we recognise the important role we play in taking care of our natural environment. This is a heritage which our ancestors have entrusted us with, and which we are responsible for towards our children. This is why we give high importance to both Education and Environment at BOV, through our Community Programme in general, and by means of our active involvement towards the Dinja Wahda programme.”

The walk in itself takes in some of the most spectacular places in our island’s countryside, including Tas-Salib, Mgarr, Zebbiegh and San Martin. At the end of the marathon next to the is-Simar Nature Reserve the children had the opportunity to stamp their coloured hand-print on a piece of material displaying the words “Ahna nhobbu l-kampanja” (We love the countryside). At the end of the activity all the participants received prizes, according to the amount of money they had collected.

To become a member of Klabb Huttaf, you may visit BirdLife’s website at www.birdlifemalta.org....