Soon
after Malta's independence from the UK, Malta Catholic
Action sought and was given permission from the Government
to use the Qrendi Royal Naval Rest Camp premises to
set-up a home for less able people. The building that
had contained the living quarters for naval military
personnel on rest leave was selected as being the
most suitable for adaptation to meet the needs of
the intended residents. Many major structural alterations
and renovations had to be implemented - doorways had,
to be widened and ramps put in to accommodate wheel
chairs, trolleys etc.
All
of this work was carried out thanks to a very generous,
charitable donation received from the then Archbishop
of Malta - Monsignor Michael Gonzi. As a tribute to
his enormous help, encouragement and. total faith
in the project the building was named after him Villa
Monsignor Gonzi.
During
the early 1970's another floor was added to the building
to accommodate a second group. In 2002 the whole property
was extensively modernized to bring the facilities
in line with the standards of care for the impaired
expected today.
The
accommodation now comprises nine self-contained flats
complete with bedrooms, bathrooms, fully equipped
kitchens, dining and socializing areas. Eight of them
are occupied by some thirty young impaired adults
and semi-dependent people living in groups of three
or four. This accommodation is being used as a halfway
house towards their eventual complete integration
into society.
The ninth flat is used as a nursery for very young
children. Each flat is light and airy, has a fully
fitted modern kitchen and is beautifully furnished
and tastefully decorated throughout.
The occupant's personal belongings, framed photographs,
ornaments and cuddly toys all help to make these residences
very 'homely'.
Some
of the residents use their kitchen facilities to prepare
their own meals, under supervision — if they do not
want to cook for themselves then meals are readily
available from the Home's main kitchens.
Each
of the flats, which are built in groups of four, has
an inter-connecting door, that when open, gives direct
access to the accommodation that immediately abuts
it but when
closed serves to make each residence a self-contained
secure home.
These
internal inter-connecting doors allow the carers,
who are on duty day and night, to access each of the
flats without having to resort to using the individual
front doors. The
doors also enable fast entry to any of the residences
in the event of an emergency.
The
Villa also houses a recreational facility with a billiards/
snooker table, table football, TV etc., a clinic and
fully equipped lecture rooms that accommodate up-to
forty people and are used for induction courses, in-service
training, lectures given by visiting experts and seminars.
