Valletta - A Gem on the Maltese Islands

Valletta – Malta’s Capital City; a place which is not only of historical importance to the Maltese people, but also a gem where the past intertwines with the present and paves the way for the future. 

Upon entering the grand city, one cannot help but notice the amazing architecture located all over the city; the modern buildings neighboring traditional architecture creating the impression of temporal continuity.  Moreover, Valletta offers a rich sensorial experience with its myriad of sights, sounds and scents.  Constantly busy, one cannot help but intake the delicious aroma of freshly prepared Maltese dishes and savories while wandering the streets of Valletta.  Moreover, the capital city hosts a vast collection of venues to suit everyone’s tastes. 

All of the major tourist attractions and other places of interest in our capital city were chosen by six members of Equal Partners Foundation to be featured in a Valletta Guidebook.  This guidebook is an-easy to read and visually coded handbook which is readily accessible to other individuals with learning difficulties and which will be made available for all via a mobile application and through an EU website.

The guidebook was put together as part of the Turisti Non Per Caso project which is an EU-funded, Youth in Action project in conjunction with other NGOs from Italy, Hungary and the Czech Republic.  The project emphasizes active citizenship by persons with learning disabilities within the European Union.  Therefore participants from four European countries were recruited to work on an easy-to-read guidebook about their respective cities; Valletta, Venice, Prague and Budapest. Equal Partners are proud to have supported the editors in the creation os such a handbook.

The launch of these travel guides will be held on Wednesday 7^th May at the Archeological Museum.  The launch saw the generous support of the Ministry of Tourism and the Valletta Local Council.  It was also kindly sponsored by the Malta Experience, Darrell Foods Ltd, Delicata Winemakers, Farsons, Sphinx St. Venera and Heritage Malta who have benevolently hosted the venue.   

The 1000 Miles of Luca

"At that moment, I lost consciousness, 

I simply fainted.

And what I remember is that I woke up and cried.

I cried, I cried, I cried...

I think I cried two days in a row."

The story of Pablo and Luca Poncini; father and son living in Argentina.  When approached to do a campaign including special needs children, the advertising executive, Pablo Poncini, decided to make it personal.  He talked about his son and his initial reaction when learning his son had Down Syndrome.  

The video takes us through the road trip the pair took through the spectacular Patagonia mountains.  Portraying their quality time, Luca and Pablo send a wonderful message; that children with Down Syndrome may seem different, but to their parents they are like any other child. 

http://vimeo.com/84061549

Cinematic beauty

Next Saturday 23rd November, Equal Partners Foundation would like to welcome you 
to the majestic Splendid in Strait Street Valletta to celebrate 
DIVERSITY: IN CINEMA!

Showing two brilliantly made movies we aim to celebrate diversity and inclusion and portray the importance of having an inclusive society. The movies will be;

Mary and Max (2009) – a superb animation directed by Adam Elliott. An Australian drama/comedy based on a true story relating the story of an unlikely friendship between a lonely 8 year old and an obese 44 year old.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KZ3vlMO-Z-I

My Flesh and Blood (2003) – a compelling movie portraying the true story of Susan Tom and her 11 adopted special needs children. Made in the USA and directed by Jonathan Karsh it conveys in a most notable way the hardships of having a disability.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDIhXB5c0cA

Screening will start at 19.00 hrs, showing Mary & Max first, followed by a short break in which people can buy wine and refreshments being served in the courtyard. My Flesh & Blood will be screened at 21.15; attendees are welcome to lounge in the courtyard after projections and during the second movie.

Tickets can be bought at the door; one movie for 3 euro while two movies for 5 euro. All of the proceeds will go further the Foundation’s aim and support persons with disabilities in having a more independent life in a more inclusive society.

A big thanks goes to our sponsors who have helped make this event possible;

We would like to say Thank you...

Diversity: In Trend (https://www.facebook.com/events/632787893454597/?fref=ts)

less than a week is left for this spectacular fashion show which is a MUST see.  Equal Partners Foundation would like to show its heartfelt appreciation to all our fantastic sponsors who have helped us make this event possible.

Our Fashion Houses who have given us their chic clothing lines

The lovely Sue Rossi from Modelle International who will be collaborating with us on the night, not only backstage, but by also having some of her fiery & beautiful models participate in the event

Xara Lodge who have given us their magnificent place and will prepare mouth watering delicacies to fill attendees’ stomachs

The charming Mariza B who will be hosting the show and keeping guests entertained as well Lorraine Cini Delceppo who will be help coordinating backstage and will be lending us her fashion expertise for the night

Our Raffle Sponsors who will make our raffle winners more than delighted with the amazing gifts in store

Our goody bag sponsors who have helped us put together quite a treat for our guests

The talented make-up artists and hair-dressers who will be adding flair to our models

Our gifted photographers who will be capturing all of the special moments taking place during the night

Our brilliant filmographers for the night

Carlo Gerada, the snazzy DJ who will further ignite the night with his music

The amazing Jane Doe who will be setting off the event with their music

And Chris Mahoney, for the fantastic artwork, Vivian Corporation for their luscious Prosecco and E-motion Signworks and Studio 7 for their technical contribution

The Ultimate Beauty; Diversity

It was a blissfully sunny day when my colleague and I decided to roam around the University campus and photograph people who looked fashionable... we did not however want the stereotypical heels and skirt fashionable, we delved deeper than that; we wanted the kind of beauty arising from an individualistic sense of style which portraying the diverse characteristics which everyone possesses.

In all we decided to post four pictures, considering them to be the best due to their stylistic choices; reflecting their glow and their lively personality.  Fashion connoisseur Lorraine Cini Delceppo, the writer of http://www.wearealldivas.com/, commented;

A lovely young lady, brimming with life and fervour, keeping it simple and natural with this ensemble.  A colourful skirt adding to her vivacious vibe.  Thumbs up for the naturally beautiful curly hair - a mystery why some of us spend hours on end taming our hair when we can have such gorgeous hair! 

A spirited, adventurous lady, defying the summer weather with boots and a scarf - quite a risk! We must admit however, that the combination is quite lovely - and she has the legs to pull it off to!

One can never go wrong with a jeans and a t-shirt.  A casual yet snazzy outfit, fit for a lecture, a social gathering between friends and a run in with photographers.  Two sweet and friendly young ladies who dazzled us with their warm smile and amicable personality; all of which was mirrored in their outfit and their smile. 

More beautiful ladies and gentleman will walk the runway on the 4th of November, enchanting us with their diverse characteristics which endows them with a beauty which will be amplified by the fashionable apparel on show during the night!

A special thanks goes to Lorraine Cini Delceppo for her insight, comments and collaboration during the night. 

Diversity: In Trend

Your name is called and you feel a hand guiding you to the main hall.  Your heart is beating fast, a time bomb pumping again your chest, threatening to explode, making your whole rib cage shudder against its violent beating.  Your palms are sweaty, your legs weak, your brain is a pit of a myriad of thoughts and doubts rushing through like a Ferrari driver on a Sunday track. 

As soon as you step out in the hall, bright flashes of white hammer you to the ground, the faces of people looking expectantly petrify you even more... And then you catch your reflection in the mirror; a beauty in all its glory.  A feeling of pride swells your whole being and your legs take you forward, confidence pushing you each step of the way.  Proud and confident you take in the crowd and smile, knowing just how beautiful and amazing you are.  Knowing that your beauty lies not in the brands you are wearing, in the way your hair is done, in the way your foundation suits your skin tone perfectly and hides that pimple you hate so much... No, you know that your beauty lies in your divergence to the rest of society, in the way you strive for your independence in society and yearn for inclusion but at the same time strive for diversity.  In the way you acknowledge how everyone is unique in his own way and that it is these differences that make society a wonderful community to live in.

Diversity is a term denoting acceptance and respect while appreciating the fact that everyone is unique and different; beauty lies not in conformity but in diversity.  This is one of the underlying principles behind the Fashion Show happening on the 4th of November at the Xara Lodge in Rabat by Equal Partners Foundation.

Equal Partners Foundation is a parent-run, non-profit organisation working with children and youths having intellectual disabilities and learning difficulties.  The Foundation strives for inclusion while supporting persons with disabilities to have a more independent life.  EPF is a strong advocate of both inclusion and diversity, and thus the fashion show is a way in which these are celebrated.

Seeing the collaboration of top fashion houses Monsoon, Marks and Spencers, Punt Roma, Wee Ones, Aldo and talented designer Luisa Diacono.  The event will see our own members, their friends and families, and professional models from Modelle International paving their way through the hall of the Xara Lodge, adding to its beauty and elegance.

Diversity: In Trend will surely be an exquisite event, celebrating diversity and inclusion at its best.  The event will start at 5.00 pm; seating can be booked at a donation fee of €20 from the sponsoring outlets or from our offices in Floriana by phoning on 21250400 or sending an e-mail on info@equalpartners.org.mt.

An event to pencil in your diaries! 

https://www.facebook.com/events/632787893454597/?ref=ts&fref=ts