Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1524836
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 4 AUGUST 2024 7 COMMERCIAL More than 1,350 families supported in five years at Ronald McDonald House Charities' Qawra Learning Centre MARKING its fifth anniversa- ry, the Qawra Learning Centre built by the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) Mal- ta Chapter shared its impact highlights, having hosted 1,353 families for free educational and therapeutic programmes and activities designed to keep fami- lies close over the past five years. To commemorate this mile- stone and 50 years of RMHC around the world, US Embassy Chargé d'Affaires Ken Toko and Joanna Raley, Political-Econom- ic Professional Associate, were invited to tour the Learning Centre. During their visit, Mr Toko and Ms Raley observed the diverse programmes and activities tak- ing place, as well as the ongoing work on a state-of-the-art Motor Sensory Room, set to be inaugu- rated this summer. This room aims to stimulate users' motor skills and promote interaction in a calming and engaging environ- ment. Over the past five years, the charity has helped 1,289 chil- dren and young people, and de- livered 3,888 hours of sessions. It has also provided space and additional support to various NGOs and entities that share its mission. Additionally, 3,121 pro- fessionals and volunteers have dedicated their time to RMHC's cause, demonstrating unwaver- ing support and making a signif- icant impact on the community. "This milestone marks five years of dedicated service and impactful programmes that have made a difference to marginal- ised groups and our neighbour- ing communities," said Martin Xuereb, Chairman of the RMHC Malta Chapter. "We believe that every child deserves the chance to succeed, and we are proud to have spent this time creating a safe environment for people who need a shoulder to lean on during difficult times and pro- viding learning opportunities to those in need." Inaugurated in 2019, the pur- pose-built Learning Centre - a 360-square meter facility – has addressed a critical need for spe- cialised and accessible support services for children facing chal- lenges stemming from learning disabilities or social circum- stances. It offers one-on-one and group counselling, family thera- py, integration programmes, academic tutoring, educational workshops, professional devel- opment for educators, and train- ing sessions for volunteers. The Centre includes a mul- ti-purpose hall for events and activities, a learning kitchen for life skills lessons, and a re- source room with workspac- es. Additionally, it serves as an autism-friendly space, offering a supportive environment for children with sensory difficul- ties. The premises also functions as a hub for 18 NGOs and public social work entities, facilitating various programmes for their service users. The Learning Centre is the first major project of the RMHC Malta Chapter, which is part of a global network operating in more than 60+ countries and re- gions, benefiting millions of chil- dren and their families annually. Since its establishment in 2012, the RMHC Malta Chapter, a reg- istered charity (VO/0778), has been committed to providing children and young people with access to specialised support to enhance their education and im- prove their quality of life. Financial literacy online course for entrepreneurs AN interactive online course held later this year will help equip aspiring and existing en- trepreneurs aged 18 and over with crucial financial tools and skills. Your GPS for Financial Suc- cess: Financial Essentials and Intelligent Projections for En- trepreneurs is the latest in- novative initiative from the Foundation for the Promotion of Entrepreneurial Initiatives (FPEI), designed to guide par- ticipants towards financial confidence in their business ventures. The course is deliv- ered in collaboration with DTF – DoTheFinancials (Ireland) and is sponsored by CreditInfo Malta. The course programme tack- les the critical reasons behind business failures within the first two years and outlines tangible methods to avoid these financial pitfalls. Partic- ipants will learn techniques to craft sustainable business mod- els, pitch to potential investors, learn to manage profit and cash flows, design and refine busi- ness models, make five-year fi- nancial projections and present their business ideas. The course runs from 24 September to 23 October and is limited to just 20 partici- pants. It is structured into four comprehensive stages, start- ing with an online live launch session, three weeks of inde- pendent learning with email support where participants can choose how and when to work, a 'flipped' classroom session in which participants can test their business model and pro- jections in a moderated peer group setting, and a final pro- ject submission with personal- ised feedback. For just a €10 administrative fee, as a sponsored pilot pro- gramme, participants will also receive a certificate of comple- tion, as well as ongoing access to all areas and resources avail- able at www.dothefinancials. com. Read more and secure your place today on the Your GPS for Financial Success course at https://fpei.mt/events/your- gps-for-financial-success/. Participants must be aged 18 or over and have access to a computer with an internet connection. Get €60 cash and more with APS Bank 's student online account APS Bank has enhanced its stu- dent offering with a €60 cash gift for students who open an APS Student Online Account, which they receive with their first stipend. This offer is part of the comprehensive APS Student Bundle, specifically crafted to meet the unique financial needs of students, providing a contem- porary and convenient banking experience suited for their life- styles. Students with the APS Student Online Account can benefit from competitive interest rates, along with discounted fees for those in- terested in exploring investment opportunities. APS Bank also offers free investment planning advice and waives initial fees on monthly savings plans across its range of APS Funds. For students aged 18 and above, there is the option to apply for APS Booost, Credit Cards, and Personal Loans, rounding out a complete suite of tailored financial solu- tions. Zoltan Horvath, Head of Prop- ositions, emphasised, "Becoming the trusted financial partner for students as they navigate their educational journey and beyond is a priority for us as the com- munity Bank. We are committed to delivering a straightforward, personalised banking experience, supported by our user-friend- ly myAPS internet and mobile banking platforms. Additionally, our free eco-friendly contactless debit card can now be added to digital wallets -either Google Pay or Apple Pay - enhancing con- venience for our customers." For more information and to open an account please visit: apsbank.com.mt/student/