Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1288715
13 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 16 SEPTEMBER 2020 COMMERCIAL "CATCH them Young" is a maxim which captures the belief that when habits are learnt at a young age, they become sec- ond nature. The ĠEMMA Financial Capability Fun Book Competition has been launched in collaboration with the Directorate for Learning and Assessment Programmes with this in mind. Its objective is to generate fun stories promoting financial capability aimed at two age groups, five- to eight-year-olds and eight- to eleven-year-olds which can be used by parents and teachers to instil positive money management habits at a young age. The competition is open to all writers, whether novel to the scene or seasoned authors and has a generous €6,000 prize fund split between the two categories. The competition runs until 30th Sep- tember 2020. For further information about this competition, visit https:// g e m m a . g o v . m t / f i n a n c i a l - c a p a b i l i - ty-fun-books-competition/. ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act is the offi- cial financial capability portal within the Office of the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry for the Family, Children's Rights and Social Solidarity. The ĠEMMA Financial Capability Fun Book Competition is one of the many initiatives being undertaken to enhance financial capability across multiple audi- ences. For more information about these in- itiatives, as well as various resources including articles on money manage- ment, calculators, webinar record- ings, e-books and research findings, visit gemma.gov.mt. ĠEMMA Know, Plan, Act col- laborates with various organisations through the establishment of MoU's to reach specific audiences: interest- ed parties wishing to explore possible collaboration can contact ĠEMMA at gemma@gov.mt . GEMMA's Financial Capability Fun Book Competition seeks to 'catch them young!' ESPLORA, in collaboration with Mater Dei Hospital, wanted to express its gratitude to health- care workers who have been working on the frontline against the COVID-19 virus. The Science Centre will be of- fering each healthcare worker at Mater Dei Hospital one free Es- plora entry ticket and a one-time 30% discount on the entrance fees of up to 3 additional and accompanying visitors, be they adults or children. Healthcare workers are to pres- ent their work identification tag to redeem the offer. MCST Executive Chairman Dr Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando said "The Malta Council for Science and Technology (MCST), and Esplora, work tirelessly in pro- moting Science on a National level. Our healthcare frontliners use Science in their constant ef- forts to combat our common foe – the coronavirus. This gesture is a small token of appreciation for their tremendous contribu- tion to our society. They present our younger generations with an excellent role model when it comes to the importance of Sci- ence related careers." Mater Dei CEO Ms Celia Falzon thanked Dr Jeffrey Pulli- cino Orlando and MCST for this gesture of appreciation towards all health workers at Mater Dei Hospital. "COVID-19 has highlight- ed the value of a science-based approach to dealing with the unknown and the unexpected. MCST and Esplora are creating an environment which encour- ages more students to embrace science in their careers. As the entity which employ the larg- est number of staff with a sci- ence-based education in Malta, Mater Dei Hospital strongly welcomes these efforts," Falzon said. "This generous gift is especial- ly welcome in these challenging times when we have to adjust to new working models in or- der to continue to provide the best health care services to our country whilst simultaneously battling COVID-19." The Parliamentary Secretary for Financial Services and the Digital Economy Clayton Barto- lo praised the proactive attitude piloted by the Malta Council for Science and Technology to pre- serve science and technology be- yond the pandemic. Bartolo highlighted that our frontliners represent the soul of a country that against all odds always overcome its own chal- lenges. Ever since the novel coronavi- rus reached Malta and was de- clared a global pandemic last March, healthcare workers were put under immense and unprec- edented pressure - having to work endless hours away from their families. To date more than 26 mil- ion people have been infected by COVID-19 and more than 800,000 deaths have been re- ported to the World Health Or- ganisation. Esplora, Malta's Interac- tive Science Centre in Kalka- ra - which focuses on Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) engage- ment - has strictly followed all the guidelines issued by the Health Authorities. The health and safety of visitors and staff are its main priority. Visitors are being encour- aged to experience Esplora's new Thematic Months, starting from Colour Splash taking place during the month of September - exploring the science of col- ours. Those choosing to visit Esplora in the coming months will have the opportunity to participate in plenty of fun activities for all the family in the safest of environ- ments - including Science on the Spot, Themed Science Shows, Investigation Zones and much more. Esplora rewards Mater Dei Hospital frontliners Mater Dei Hospital CEO Celia Falzon, MCST Executive Chairman Jeffrey Pullicino Orlando and Parliamentary Secretary Clayton Bartolo