Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1309486
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 15 NOVEMBER 2020 12 COMMERCIAL HSBC Malta Foundation teams up with Malta Girl Guides to support children in Malta THE HSBC Malta Foundation has continued to support chil- dren in Malta by backing vari- ous initiatives to help them stay motivated while spending ex- tended periods of time at home as a result of the Covid-19 pan- demic. Among these initiatives, the Foundation teamed up with Malta Girl Guides (MGG) Spanning over 80 days and a total of 40 challenges, the MGG's #mggquarantinechal- lenge #beattheboredom attract- ed over 2,500 participants from over 21 countries. In this initi- ative, children and people of all ages, participated in challeng- es to help beat the boredom of staying indoors during such dif- ficult times. Challenges targeted different areas of the MGG pro- gramme such as mind and spirit, culture and heritage, creativity, outdoor skills, environment and diversity. After completing the challeng- es, each participant shared their work online via various social media channels and earned their very own #mggquarantinechal- lenge badge for participating. HSBC Malta hopes the badge will help turn the challenges in- to a lifetime memory of how the world united in the battle against the Corona virus and the chal- lenges which this unprecedent- ed pandemic has placed on the community. As part of its ongo- ing support, HSBC Malta Foun- dation also continued to collab- orate with Malta Girl Guides, Skolasajf and the Prince's Trust International Achieve Pro- gramme through the delivery of fun and hands-on activities and sessions to help elementary and secondary students acquire skills in an informal and excit- ing way. All sessions were deliv- ered by Malta Girl Guides adult volunteers and they focused on various aspects from the MGG programme such as connecting with nature through outdoor ac- tivities, healthy lifestyle and the Marvellous Minds campaign. Caroline Buhagiar Klass, Head of Human Resources and Cor- porate Sustainability at HSBC Malta said, "Activities such as these are crucial for the mental well-being of our community. Sharing different coping mecha- nisms such as dealing with emo- tions, and maintaining a healthy diet were all covered through these initiatives supported by the Foundation. The HSBC Malta Foundation will continue to support initiatives that work towards ensuring children lead a happy and healthy life and building their resilience to tackle challenges they may face." Two young participants who took part in the challenge to help beat the boredom of staying indoors during such these difficult times Argus Group announces winners of its 'Our Future is You' initiative TWO local NGOs, YMCA Malta and TAMA, have been chosen as the Maltese winners of the Argus 70th Anniversa- ry Competition, the 'Our Fu- ture is You' initiative, and will receive an €8,500 donation each. This community con- test encourages charities and non-profits based in Malta, Gi- braltar and Bermuda to submit their ideas for youth-focused initiatives. Argus will be do- nating over €70,000 to help bring those ideas to life. YMCA Malta is a non-prof- it, voluntary and ecumenical non-governmental organisa- tion, which seeks to promote the vision of building a more just society. TAMA's volun- teers, on the ot her hand, are focused on "bringing out the best in each other through efforts of men- torship, skills sharing, and con- stant self-development". 'Our Future is You' is part of the Argus Group's anniversary celebrations, marking 70 years of service within Malta, Gibral- tar, Bermuda and Canada. Group CEO Alison Hill ex- plained that the 70 years of Ar- gus were, more than anything, "a celebration of our focus on the community, and of our confidence in a better, more sustainable and compassionate future for our younger genera- tions." Participating charities and non-profits were asked what they would do if they had the funds to shape the #Next70 years by supporting local youth. Proposals were submitted through the official website OurFutureIsYou.com, where participants could make a case for their charity or non-profit organisation to receive one of six €8,500-€10,000 donations. In Malta, Argus employees could vote on their choice of beneficiaries from a shortlist prepared by company's Steer- ing Committee. The initiative proposed by YMCA Malta sets to empower teenagers in expressing their hopes and concerns about the communities in which they live and society as a whole. The organisation will focus primarily on teenagers with limited opportunities, those coming from migrant commu- nities, and early school leavers. The NGO will carry out activ- ities that will help these groups better understanding the ori- gin of their emotions, and then channel them through creative mediums so that they may cre- ate advocacy projects that re- flect their own vision for a bet- ter society.