Prior to 1965 people with physical and mental impairments were looked after, in the main, by their families - well meaning, loving parents/relatives who had the daunting and onerous task of trying to integrate their charges into society. There were no set guidelines and outside assistance was very limited.

Aside from the overwhelming problems these families already had, there was often another they had to bear - that of the stigma of shame cast upon them for being responsible for bringing such "unfortunates" into the World.

 Monsignor Michael Azzopardi, Ecclesiastical Assistant General of Malta Catholic Action had, for some time, nursed a 'dream' that would help improve the lives of some of those born with impairments, both mental and physical and considerably ease the burden their families were carrying.

On the 12th September 1965 he aired his idea - that of opening a residential home for these people, up-grading the quality of their lives such that their natural abilities were developed to ultimately enable them to integrate into society - during a radio program aimed at the sick and unwell listeners. A young lady who heard the programmer was so moved by his idea that she sought him out and gave him a cheque for LM100 - money she had saved for a holiday abroad!

Id-Dar Tal-Providenza was born - the 'dream' had started to become a reality.

On the 21st January 1967the deeds of the building and land that was formerly the Qrendi Royal Navy Rest Camp were formally signed over to Malta Catholic Action and now - Id-Dar Tal-Providenza had acquired its home-base.

Thanks to a very generous contribution from the then Archbishop of Malta - Monsignor Michael Gonzi, extensive renovations to the building now called 'Villa Monsignor Gonzi' were carried out in the preparation for receiving the Charity's first residents.

At this time a movement to make people aware of the need to provide care for impaired people was initiated by Monsignor Michael Azzopardi. Using his position as the Government's Inspector of Religious Education and adopting an idea being used by the Vatican at that time, that of broadcasting a radio programmer aimed at the sick and infirm, he took every opportunity to get his message concerning the needs of the disabled to as many people as possible.

Nuns from the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Jeanne Antide Thouret took up residence on the 12th January 1968. They were Id-Dar Tal-Providenza's first carers, initially aided by volunteers and subsequently by employed lay personnel. The sisters have given full time service since the Charity's foundation.