As part of Life Week, LNF announced the opening of a new Central Distribution Hub for Mothers and Babies in need.
Listen to an explanation below and read the press release here:
Press Release: Pro Life groups reject Minister Chris Fearne’s verbal clarification regarding Abortion Amendment.
For Immediate Release
5th January 2023
Pro Life groups reject Minister Chris Fearne’s verbal clarification regarding Abortion Amendment. The Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition led by the Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life reject the Health Minister’s comments reported in the media yesterday.
Minister Chris Fearne stated that the wording of the amendment will be changed to shut down concerns that abortion will be legalised. Minster Fearn stated “We will clarify that if a child can be born and live independently, that child should be protected, be birthed and live,” implying that the Government will introduce a viability criteria, which is usually 24 weeks (about 5 and a half months) from conception.
This change to the amendment seems to highlight that the Government wishes to legalise abortion up to 24 weeks (about 5 and a half months), while only leaving late term abortions illegal.
The Government has no mandate to legislate for abortion, yet what the Government seems to be proposing would allow, for instance, the abortion of a five month old unborn child for reasons “that could” put the life of the mother “at risk or her health in grave jeopardy.”
The definition of the word “health” is extremely wide according to World Health Organisation (WHO) this includes includes “physical health”, “mental health” and “social wellbeing”.
With this addition the amendment is looking even more similar to the United Kingdom Abortion Act 1967, that has allowed for over 10 million abortion, 98% of which are for reasons of “mental health”.
The coalition urges the Government to provide the necessary clarity in the text of the amendment such that any medical intervention allowed to safeguard the mother clearly excludes the direct and intended harm to the child in the womb. The Inti Tista’ Ssalvani coalition is still waiting for a response from the Prime Minister to have a meeting regarding this amendment.
Quotes
Dr Miriam Sciberras:
“If this amendment is made law Malta will have a more extreme abortion law than most EU countries”.
“It is becoming very clear that the Government wishes to introduce abortion without having a mandate to do so. This is neither justifiable nor acceptable and shows a total disregard of the value of life in the womb. We ask the Government to reconsider this as it is not what the people of Malta have voted for”.
Links:
World Health Organisation (WHO) Definition of Health:
https://www.who.int/data/gho/data/major-themes/health-and-well-being#:~:text=The%20WHO%20constitution%20states%3A%20%22Health,of%20mental%20disorders%20or%20disabilities
Contact:
info@lifenetwork.eu
PRESS RELEASE: A CANDLELIGHT VIGIL OF HOPE DURING PARLIAMENTARY SESSION
For Immediate Release
7th December 2022
Following the protest on Sunday against the Government’s abortion bill, people gathered again, this time outside Parliament to maintain pressure and highlight to Government that abortion is not the will of the people of Malta.
The crowd that filled the square in-front of Parliament lit candles as a gesture of solidarity towards the babies that will be put at risk with the introduction of abortion in Malta.
This was another initiative of the Inti Tista Ssalvani campaign driven by the coalition of for Life made up of the Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, urging the Government to abandon its plans to introduce abortion.
The petition www.stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com has already gathered over 25,000 signatures, urging the Government to reconsider the clause it has presented in Parliament and take on board the Expert Clause and proposals made by the multi-disciplinary group of 81 doctors, lawyers, ethicists and academics, also supported by 44 organizations, 450 doctors and thousands of citizens.
The giant image of a baby was laid out in Freedom Square, with supporters laying candles as MPs passed by.
The Coalition urges again the Government to listen to the will of the people of Malta and Gozo, to keep to its word and mandate and ensure that any changes while protecting mothers in difficulties, babies and doctors, do not legalise abortion.
Life Network Foundation still awaits a reply from the Prime Minster to their letter sent on the 1st December 2022 requesting a meeting dialogue with Government.
Quotes
Dr Miriam Sciberras, Chairman of Life Network Foundation said:
“The Bill in its current form will allow abortion on demand to take place in Malta.”
“The Government while justifying the changes as needed to protect mothers and doctors, have today any legitimacy to continue with the changes when doctors represented by MAM, psychiatrists represented by their Association and nurses and midwives represents by MUMN have expressed serious concern with the legislation proposed, as the legislation adds more uncertainty and cause for concern then protection.
Government has no mandate to bring in abortion, as the Prime Minister confirmed that this is not included in the Labour Party Electoral Manifesto, and that he is personally against abortion “in all circumstances””
“We appeal to the Prime Minister and Minister of Heath. There is no urgency, we call for dialogue with the Government over this issue”
Links:
Photos:https://www.flickr.com/photos/197084833@N04/albums/72177720304944067
Contact:
International Press Release: MALTA: 20,000 people take to the streets to support pro-life laws as Government tables bill to introduce abortion.
For immediate release
6th December 2022
MALTA: 20,000 people take to the streets to support pro-life laws as Government tables bill to introduce abortion.
20,000 people (4%of the population) have taken to the streets and more than 24,000 people have signed a petition urging the Government of Malta to abandon the bill it has presented to Parliament in favour of an alternative amendment clause that was written by 81 leaders and academics in medicine, law and ethics.
Malta’s current laws protect the right to life of the unborn child, as well and ensuring mothers are provided with all the medical care they need, resulting in zero maternal mortalities in the last 10 years. Malta’s doctors are protected by the law in cases when their actions result in the death of the unborn child, when they are acting to save the life of a mother.
Malta’s main pro-life group, Life Network Foundation, has condemned the Government abortion Bill, which, if passed, will allow abortion to take place in Malta for non-life threatening reasons, and in doing so has joined a group of 81 academics, 450 doctors, 44 institutions, the Medical Association of Malta, and Maltese Association of Psychiatry all of whom are against the introduction of the Government’s Bill.
In the Expert Position Paper, some of Malta’s leading medics, lawyers, ethicists, and academics have proposed a change to the wording of the Bill that would ensure that it is limited to codifying into law the current practice in Malta, that if the ending of a life of an unborn child is the unfortunate result of life saving medical intervention for the mother, then no crime is committed. This proposal ensures against the unintentional introduction of abortion to Malta.
The Government’s wording of the Bill goes much further than simply codifying current practice into law. Instead, the proposed amendment includes legalising abortion to protect the health of a pregnant woman who has medical complications that “could” put her “health in serious jeopardy”.
This health provision in the Bill is very similar to the health provisions that have been used in abortion legislation in the UK and abortion legislation in Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. In these countries, these health provisions have allowed for widespread abortion on demand. Statistics from the UK The vast majority of the over ten million abortions that have happened in the UK since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967 have been allowed under this same ‘health’ clause in the law.
Life Network Foundation supports the suggested wording of the bill proposed in the Expert Position Paper, as this protects babies, mothers, and doctors, but does not allow for abortion on demand:
Expert proposal in English:
No crime is committed under article 241(2) or article 243 when the death or bodily harm of an unborn child results from a medical intervention conducted with the aim of saving the life of the mother where there is a real and substantial risk of loss of the mother’s life from a physical illness.
Quotes:
Dr Miriam Sciberras, Chairman of Life Network Foundation said:
“The Bill in its current form would allow abortion on demand to take place in Malta.”
“If the Bill becomes law, Malta will go from being the only country in Europe with full protection for the unborn child to legalising abortion.”
“We are calling on the Government to urgently change the wording of the Bill to adopt the recommended changes outlined in the Expert position paper by leading medics, lawyers, ethicists, and academics.”
Notes:
Life Network Foundation(LNF) runs three units working in support, education and advocacy. LNF also manages a helpline for women who need support and runs a home for women in a crisis pregnancy situation who have nowhere to go.
Life Network Foundation is running the campaign “Inti Tista Ssalvani”, which translates as “You Can Save Me”
Photos:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/197084833@N04/albums/72177720304238148
PRESS RELEASE: LIFE NETWORK FOUNDATION, DOCTORS FOR LIFE AND I SEE LIFE REQUEST MEETING WITH PRIME MINISTER REGARDING PROPOSED ABORTION LAW
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
6th December 2022
ENGLISH
The Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, as part of the You Can Save me coalition, request a meeting with the Prime Minister
The Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life, as the Int Tista Ssalvani coalition, which is leading the campaign against the introduction of Abortion in Malta, noted the Prime Minister’s comments to the media yesterday the 5th of December 2022, where he affirmed that he is ready to dialogue and listen to everyone.
The three organisations, wish to draw the attention of the Prime Minister who on 1 December 2022 sent a request for a meeting with him, which letter is being attached to this statement, to discuss the concerns of many as expressed last Sunday in the public demonstration which was attended by more than 20,000 thousand individuals and the stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com petition which is now close to 25,000 signatories.
The Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life and I See Life as the coalition that is leading the campaign against the introduction of Abortion in Malta has not yet received an invitation for a meeting.
Dr. Miriam Sciberras
Chairperson, Life Network Foundation
MALTI
Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life, bħala l-koalizzjoni Int Tista’ Ssalvani jitolbu laqgħa mal-Prim Ministru
Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life, bħala l-koalizzjoni Int Tista’ Ssalvani, li qed tmexxi l-kampanja kontra l-introduzzjoni tal-Abort f’Malta, innotaw il-kummenti tal Prim Ministru lill-midja ilbieraħ il-5 ta’ Diċembru 2022, fejn afferma li lest jiddjaloga u jisma’ lil kullħadd.
It-tlett organizzazzjonijiet, jixtiequ jiġbdu l-attenzjoni tal-Prim Ministru li fl-1 ta’ Diċembru 2022 bagħtu talba għal laqgħa miegħu, liema ittra qed tiġi annessa ma’ din l-istqarrija, biex jiddiskutu t-tħassib ta’ bosta kif espress nhar il-Ħadd li għadda fil-manifestazzjoni pubblika li għaliha attendew aktar minn 20,000 elf individwu u l-petizzjoni stopabortiodev.wpenginepowered.com li issa hija qrib il-25,000 firmatarju.
Il-Life Network Foundation, Doctors for Life u I See Life bħala l-koalizzjoni li qed tmexxi l kampanja kontra l-introduzzjoni tal-Abort f’Malta sal-llum għada ma’ rċevietx stedina għal laqgħa.
Dr. Miriam Sciberras
Chairperson, Life Network Foundation
Press Release: 44 NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations endorse the Group of 80 Experts Proposal.
For Immediate Release
29th November 2022
44 NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations together with Former President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca
endorse the Group of 80 Experts Proposal.
Appeal to Government to redraft the amendment tabled in Parliament to articles 241 and 243 of the Criminal Code, and not open the open the door for the introduction of abortion.
We the hereunder NGOs, Organisations, Groups, and Associations, together with Former President of the Republic Marie Louise Coleiro Preca and her husband Edgar Preca have come together to appeal to Government to take note of the concerns raised by the Group of 80 Experts and the public at large and accept to redraft the amendment to articles 241 and 243 of the Criminal Code presented in Parliament, and which as proposed, opens the door for the introduction of abortion be replaced with the proposed amendment presented by the Group of 80 Experts.
The Group of 80 Experts concluded that the amendment put forward by the Government opens the door for legal abortion in our country as it does not only speak of instances where the woman is at risk of dying but opens the door to other health related instances that do not put the life of the mother at risk of dying. This goes beyond the declared intention of Government when presenting this amendment, and the 30 organisations remind Government that as confirmed by the Prime Minister, the Government does not have a mandate to introduce Abortion in Malta.
The Group of 80 inter-disciplinary experts in clinical medicine, gynaecology and obstetrics, health sciences, midwifery, law, psychology, well-being, social policy, family studies, philosophy, ethics and theology provided an alternative amendment that ensures that the law complies with the dignity of the human person and the human rights deriving therefrom, in particular, the fundamental right to life of the woman and the unborn child, and the right to legal certainty, in relation to the situation where a pregnant woman’s life is in manifest danger of death or where a real and substantial risk to her life exists from a physical illness.
We therefore endorse the proposed clause and appeal to the Government to adopt this version in Parliament:
No crime is committed under article 241(2) or article 243 when the death or bodily harm of an unborn child results from a medical intervention conducted with the aim of saving the life of the mother where there is a real and substantial risk of loss of the mother’s life from a physical illness.
The endorsing NGOs, Organisations, Groups and Associations:The Former President Marie Louise Coleiro Preca & Edgar Preca
Augustinian Youths
Azzjoni Kattolika
Caritas Malta
Catholic Charistmatic Renewal
Catholic Voices Malta
Church Schools Assocation (CSA)
Christian Life Community (CLC) Malta
Dar Merhba Bik
Doctors for Life
Eucharistic Youth Movement Malta
Fondazzjoni Sebħ
Forum tal-Ghaqdiet u Movimenti Kattolici tal-Lajci
Gozo Aid for the Visually Impaired
Gozo Association for the Deaf
Great Oak Malta Association
I See Life
Kamra ta’ L-Ispizjara ta’ Malta
Knisja Evangelika Battista
Kummissjoni Gustizzja u Paci
Legion of Mary
Life Network Foundation
Malta Catholic Youth Network
Malta House of Prayer
Malta Unborn Child Platform
Maltese Jesuit Community
MFOPD
Mission Fund
Moviment ta’ Cana
Muscular Dystrophy Group Malta
National Council for Women
National Parents Society of Persons with Disability (NPSPD)
New Humanity Movement, Malta (Focolare Movement, Malta)
Pietre Vive
Salesians of Don Bosco
Secretariat for Catholic Education
Segretarjat Assistenza Socjali (AKM)
Socjeta M.U.S.E.U.M Nisa
Socjeta M.U.S.E.U.M Rġiel
Sovereign Order of Malta
St Jeanne Antide Foundation
The Evangelical Alliance of Malta
Trinity Evangelical Church
Youths for Christ
Żgħażagħ Azzjoni Kattolika (ŻAK)
Press Release: Response following the Press Conference held by the Minister of Health on Wednesday 16th November 2022.
For Immediate Release
23rd November 2022
Comments following the Press Conference held by the Minister of Health on Wednesday 16th November 2022.
Life Network Foundation Malta refutes the Deputy Prime Minister’s statement that doctors and mothers in Malta are at risk of prosecution. In fact, no prosecutions have ever been brought against doctors or obstetricians who acted to save a mother’s life. With the existing law, the medical procedures in Malta ensure every attempt is made to save the life of the mother and preborn child. The codification of this principle may set minds at rest, however, any amendments proposed should not be used to open the way to abortion.
Life Network notes that Malta has a phenomenal record in maternal care, with zero maternal mortalities in the last 10 years, and as such, the system that Malta has in place is an excellent one, in which pregnant women and their babies are both protected and cared for.
The Bill presented in Parliament exceeds the remit of intent, as described by the honourable Minister, so much so, that mainstream media, both locally and internationally, have described this bill as effectively introducing abortion.
The vague “health” provision in the Bill is very similar to provisions that have been used in abortion legislation in the UK and past abortion legislation in Australia, New Zealand, and many other countries. In these countries, such vague health provisions have allowed for abortion on demand.
Statistics from the UK Government’s Department for Health and Social Care show that the vast majority of the over ten million abortions that have happened in the UK since the Abortion Act was introduced in 1967 have been allowed under the ‘health’ clause in the law.
The Prudente case is currently being heard and one questions if it is wise to imply, at this stage, that the law in Malta needs to be changed, especially as this may have implications on the outcome of the case. Nonetheless, the finest legal minds are currently doing their best to defend our laws that have stood the test of time. The government should show prudence in this respect.
If the Government is seriously intent on enshrining into our legislation the practices that are today already administered by our medical professionals, then we urge the Minister to consider the proposed amendment of the leading medics, lawyers, ethicists, and academics in Malta who have studied the implications of the Governments’ proposals and constructively provided a legal text that provides the sought-after legal certainty.
Life Network wishes to remind the Government that while it does have a mandate to govern, it does not have a mandate to bring abortion into Malta in any way.
Nicole’s Story
Nicole
Nicole was in her late twenties. She already had two children and was going through a difficult period of life, while pregnant with her third child. She had started using drugs and she seemed to be in danger of addiction when she discovered she was pregnant. Unfortunately, her family didn’t want to support her when she discovered this news and pressurised her into having an abortion. Due to her habit of using drugs, she was being supported by a lot of services, and although she had a lot of pressure to abort her baby, she remained unsure. She called Lifeline for help and a counsellor went to meet her. Then she came to realise that, with support, she would be able to create a life for herself and her three children. Life Line was also able to help her by patching up the broken relationship with her family. They were able to speak to her parents about her positive decision and this too helped Nicole go forward with her life. Knowing that her family would be there for her and her children made a big difference to Nicole. Life Line was also able to provide support to her family and in this way, Nicole was able to stay in her family home. Her pregnancy was without complications and she gave birth to a healthy baby boy, surrounded and supported by her whole family. However, unfortunately, soon after the baby was born, she had a relapse. In order to resolve this situation, she then decided to commence an official rehabilitation programme to save-guard her third children. And at this point she also decided to enter the maternity home with her 3 children. Once she had been able to clean her herself up, she moved out to an apartment; she was able to pay for her housing on her own, through the paid work that she was doing. In this way, she moved away from addiction to an independent single mum, supporting herself and her 3 children. We are so glad that she is doing well and remains so grateful that she didn’t abort her child. We remain in touch and support her in any way that she requires. Sometimes we catch up with a chat over coffee.
Nicole
Nicole kienet fl-aħħar ta’ l-għoxrin sena. Diġà kellha żewġt itfal u kienet għaddejja minn perjodu diffiċli tal-ħajja, waqt li kienet tqila bit-tielet wild tagħha. Bdiet tuża d-droga u dehret li kienet fil-periklu tal-vizzju meta skopriet li kienet tqila. Sfortunatament, il-familja tagħha ma appoġġjawhiex meta skopriet din l-aħbar u għamlitha pressjoni biex tagħmel abort. Minħabba d-drawwa li tuża d-droga, kienet qed tiġi appoġġjata minn ħafna servizzi, u għalkemm kellha ħafna pressjoni biex tabortixxi lit-tarbija tagħha, baqgħet inċerta. Cemplet lil Lifeline għall-għajnuna u konsulent min taghna mar jiltaqa’ magħha. Ilqajnijha b’imhabba kbira u hemm kien fejn indunat li bl-appoġġ kbir li konna qed noffrulha kienet se tkun kapaċi toħloq ħajja għaliha u t-tliet uliedha. Stajna ngħinuha wkoll billi tkellimna mal-ġenituri tagħha dwar id-deċiżjoni pożittiva tagħha u dan irnexxha wkoll ghax l-genituri taghha indunnaw li ahna konna qedghin hemm ghalijhom wkoll. Dan ukoll għen lil Nicole timxi ‘l quddiem b’ħajjitha, billi kienet taf li l-familja tagħha kienet se tkun hemm għaliha u għal uliedha. Stajna wkoll nagħtu appoġġ lill-familja tagħha u b’dan il-mod, Nicole setgħet tkompli tghix mal-familja tagħha. It-twelid tat-tarbija kien mingħajr kumplikazzjonijiet u Nicole welldet tarbija b’saħħitha, imdawra u appoġġjata mill-familja tagħha. Madankollu, sfortunatament, ftit wara li twieldet it-tarbija, hija kellha rikaduta ghad-droga. Ahna konna hemm ghalija wkoll u bl-ghajnuna taghna imbagħad iddeċidiet li tibda programm ta’ riabilitazzjoni mid-droga uffiċjali biex issalva lit-3 uliedha. Kien f’dan il-mument li iddeċidiet ukoll li tidħol fid-dar tal-maternità flimkien mat-3 uliedha. Wara li temmet b’success il-programm tar-riabilitazzjoni ghenijha issib appartament u xoghol. Marret f’appartament, li setgħet tħallas għalih waħedha permezz tax-xogħol li kienet tagħmel. B’dan il-mod, hija għaddiet biex tkun tista’ ssostni lilha nnifisha u lit-3 uliedha, bħala omm waħedha. Ninsabu ferħanin li sejra tajjeb u tant grati li ma abortitx lil binha. Ghadna f’kuntatt maghha u ghadna nappoġġjawha b’kull mod li Nicole teħtieġ. Mhux l-ewwel darba li imorru niltaqaw ma’ Nicole u 3 angli taghha u nghidu kelma waqt li niehdu kafè.
Kay’s Story
Kay
Kay is a 20 year old who already had a son aged 6 years old. Kay had been in a short-term relationship; however, it was not a stable relationship, and it was typically characterised by lots of arguments. One day the couple argued bitterly and her boyfriend asked her to go and get an abortion, then he broke her phone, threw all her belongings out onto the street and kicked her out too. A friend called Life Line to explain that Kay was in trouble and had nowhere to go. She was in a vulnerable state and needed help. We were able to make a place for her at the maternity home with her 6-year-old son. She spent all her pregnancy with us and we supported her with all her needs, including helping her to find a job and enlisting her for other support services available to her as a single mum. She spent a year with us and gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby. The first thing she said after the birth of her baby was “what was I going to do with my own hands!” She was so very thankful that we supported her through this difficult time of her life and that she hadn’t gone ahead with the abortion, but rather that she went on to have a healthy pregnancy and gave birth to this bundle of joy. Life Line have remained present in Kay’s life, even after the birth. She has been able to move into an apartment, while supporting herself and her two children. Even after a year has passed, she is doing well and still supporting herself and her two children. We remain in touch and support her in any way we can; even just for coffee, to keep social contact.
Kay
Kay hija żagħżugħa ta’ 20 sena li diġà kellha tifel ta’ 6 snin. Kay kienet f’relazzjoni għal żmien qasir, madankollu, ma kinitx relazzjoni stabbli, u tipikament mifruxa b’ħafna argumenti. Ġurnata waħda l-koppja argumentat bil- kbir u s-sieheb taghha talbitha biex tmur tagħmel abort. Waqt l-argument kisserilha l-mobile u tefalha l-affarijiet kollha tagħha barra fit-triq u keċċa lilha l-barra wkoll. Ħabiba taghha ċemplitna biex tispjega li Kay kienet fl-inkwiet u ma kellhiex fejn toghqod. Kay kienet fi stat vulnerabbli u kellha bżonn l-għajnuna. Tajnijha saqaf fuq rasha ghalijha u ghal binha, fid-dar tal-maternità tal-Mosta. Hija qattgħet it-tqala kollha tagħha magħna u aħna appoġġajnaha fil-bżonnijiet kollha tagħha, inkluż li ngħinuha biex issib impjieg u nqabbduha għal servizzi oħra ta’ appoġġ disponibbli għaliha bħala omm waħedha. Hadna hsieb lic-ckejken taghha meta kienet tmur ghal-appuntamenti l-isptar.Hija qattgħet sena magħna u welldet tarbija sabiħa u b’saħħitha. Waqt il-hlas ahna konna magha wkoll. L-ewwel ħaġa li qalet wara t-twelid tat-tarbija tagħha kienet “x’kont se nagħmel b’idi!” Kienet tant grata li sabet l-appogg taghna matul dan iż-żmien diffiċli ta’ ħajjitha u li ma kinitx kompliet bl-abort, iżda pjuttost li kienet kompliet bit-tqala. Bqajna preżenti fil-ħajja ta’ Kay, anke wara li kien nwasal iz-zmien li titlaq tghix fl- appartament il-gdid taghha. Kienet f’xoghol stabbli u seghtet ssostni lilha nfisha u liż-żewġ uliedha. Bqajna f’kuntatt u nappoġġjawha b’kull mod li nistgħu, anke għall-kafè mhux l-ewwel darba li morru sal lum il-gurnata.
Courageous Women
Victoria
The special story of Victoria began with a confidential phone call on our Help Line. A young mother-to-be needed our support. She was in her early twenties and looking forward a full and promising life ahead of her.
Suddenly things changed. A pregnancy test and two blue lines threw Victoria into a sea of trouble and panic. How could it be?!
She felt she had too many problems. She wished to escape. She was seeing all her life fade away before her eyes. And she felt it was all her fault. She could not believe that she had let this happen to her – she thought she had a perfect plan and now, after one night, it had all disappeared!!
She spent a day trawling the internet and she decided to seek help. She contacted us via Facebook messenger.
Victoria first visited our office accompanied by her mother and partner, the baby’s father. Instinctively, she was greeted with a sympathetic hug! Around a table, in an atmosphere of calmness, she was able to explain her problems, one after another, without feeling judged. This included the way she came to be pregnant, unexpectantly.
She was deeply upset and didn’t know how to face this situation. In this calm atmosphere, the process began. It was long but sympathetic. All the problems were identified, one at a time, and solutions discussed for each. This time-consuming process was most worthwhile.
Accommodation was also offered, yet Victoria’s family also wished to help. And Victoria explained that she wished to be able to support herself and become financially independent. By the end of our first meeting, Victoria had begun to smile again and appeared less anxious. She left feeling positive and ready for action!
Victoria says that at first, under great shock, the many problems seemed insurmountable. She could not see a way ahead. This is why she recalls wanting to escape! However, she was in a stable relationship with the boy’s father and she was determined about the importance to become financially independent.
After a long first meeting Victoria called to say that she had decided to keep her baby.
She also asked if she could stay in touch with us. Of course, we accepted. In fact, that is what happened. She kept us informed every step of the way, sending us scans and news throughout her pregnancy, including the occasion when she discovered the gender of her baby. At the birth, we were the first people that she sent a picture to, plus a short video, and this really filled us with joy.
Our accompaniment of Victoria continued until she returned to work. With her child in childcare, she has been able to return to paid work and is now financially independent, as she had she would be: no longer needing any financial support.
She has also remained in a healthy relationship with the baby’s father and they plan on officially becoming a family in the very near future.
Victoria has asked us to continue staying in touch. It has been an honour and a pleasure for us to keep contact with Victoria and her family, whom we have also been able to help. They have become part of our extended family. It is also very encouraging for us to see them succeed in life and become integrated back into society and normal life.
We really admire the courage and determination of Victoria and all the girls, who, in similar challenging circumstances, choose life for their babies.
Today we look forward to celebrating the first birthday of this precious boy!
Maria
Maria came to Malta to work. She was accompanied by her three-year old boy, from a previous relationship she had had. She was excited to be here and full of hope for their future. She had always been a busy person, very capable and ready to work.
However, after one night of extreme entertainment everything changed!! She was supposed to be ‘safe’ and responsible. But she immediately missed her period and her pregnancy test was positive!
Maria called us in a great panic. She could not believe that she was pregnant, after a one-night stand with her old boyfriend.
Unfortunately, she was sure that he would leave her again, as this is what he had done on a previous occasion. At once she thought that she had only one option available to her – to get rid of the baby. She felt desperate and she desperately wanted to find a way out of her situation – yet she could not see it.
Maria was alone with her little son in a foreign land. She had no one to turn to – no family or close friends – no support or even a friendly face! As for her boyfriend, he turned away from her too, the minute he heard the news. Maria was completely alone with her young son and she felt that her world was collapsing all around her.
She worried that she might lose her job and she worried about how she would look after two children alone. She also needed help to find a place to live as her rent was too high and she was drinking three-quarters of her miserable pay!
We met Maria at this stage of her life. One of our counsellors sat down with her and together they drew up a realistic plan, considering the time before and after her due date. The most urgent problem appeared to be housing.
However, the maternity home in Mosta was still not ready, as it had just been rented and required a great deal of maintenance and painting work. Therefore, we found temporary accommodation for her and one month later, when our home opened its doors, Maria was our first resident. She was welcomed with open arms and received shelter, medical care and child care for her little boy. In this way, she was able to continue working and continue with her pregnancy.
We accompanied Maria and gave her the emotional support she needed. We also assisted with her medical appointments, including her ultrasound, when she found out the sex of her baby. This was a major turning point for Maria – when she found out that she was expecting a baby girl. Suddenly, the baby took on a real identity. She began to take courage and even to look forward to the day when she would see her baby daughter face to face. Maria had long had a dream to have a baby girl, and now this was coming true! This pregnancy was just meant to be!!
At the time of the birth, Maria had the support of our entire team. Someone was with her as she gave birth to her baby girl. She received all she needed at hospital, including one of our signature hospital bags, food, clothes, toys and real love.
It was a privilege for us to see Maria meet her baby. It was love at first sight.
Just recalling the scene arouses warm emotions in us again, recalling Maria with her baby girl. What a sight, what beauty, what a gift!
Maria was glad to have chosen life. Yet she still had to take another bold decision. Maria decided that putting the best interest of her baby girl first would mean that she would need to be adopted.
Now, almost two years have passed, and Maria is in a stable job, working and supporting her son. Although Maria had decided that it would be best for her daughter to be adopted, due to her financial situation, Maria has kept in regular contact with the family who was raising her daughter and following her progress closely.
Maria feels happy and at peace with the decisions she has made, especially when she meets her daughter and sees how she is growing up. She also feels at peace with the family that loves her daughter and is doing such a good job of raising her. At the same time, she continues to be able to look after her own son.
Maria is delighted that she has chosen life.