Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/392875
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 5 OCTOBER 2014 3 News MIRIAM DALLI THE tragic death of 15-year-old Lisa Maria Zahra has inspired her family to set up a non-profit organisation to create a safer environment for chil- dren and youth. The launch of the Lisa Maria Foun- dation, set up by the teenager's fa- ther, hotelier Tony Zahra, and her cousin, Winston J. Zahra, will be officially launched tomorrow (Mon- day), although it is set against the background of the ongoing criminal charges against Erin Tanti, accused of having assisted in her suicide on 18 March. "As a family we had a choice: fol- lowing the tragic death of my cousin we could either slip into a downward spiral of negativity or choose to cre- ate a beautiful legacy for Lisa Maria by doing something positive that will have a lasting effect on our society," Winston J. Zahra told MaltaToday. The Zahras opted to take action: "We want to create a safer environ- ment for our children and youth in the future." Lisa Maria died tragically at Din- gli Cliffs, having been driven there by Tanti, a substitute teacher at St Michael's Foundation, where she at- tended school. At the time she was having a relationship with Tanti. Ac- cording to the evidence presented in court, Zahra and Tanti may have planned a suicide pact. "We want to help any institution with the duty of care for children and youth to ensure that they have an effective selection procedure for all personnel entrusted with the care of children and young people," Win- ston J. Zahra told MaltaToday. The foundation will be promoting a code of behaviour that prescribes the appropriate boundaries between adults and young people, and raise awareness and educate children, parents and all persons working with children and young people on the safe use of social media. According to Lisa Maria's cousin, the biggest danger facing children and youth today is "the apathy over eroding values in our society". "A culture of 'anything goes' and 'anything is acceptable' with the ex- cuse of allowing people freedom in anything and everything they do, without any clear boundaries, is hav- ing a profound affect on behavioural patterns," he said. The foundation will be working very closely with the Ministry of Ed- ucation, the Malta Union of Teach- ers, the Council for the Teaching Profession, the University of Malta, the Sports Council and other bodies involved in the education sector in the country. "The foundation has been estab- lished to ensure that adequate sup- port is given to improve processes in future for the benefit of our chil- dren," Winston J. Zahra added. The foundation's board members are former St Martin's College head- master Patrick Tabone, and profes- sor of psychology Mary Anne Lauri. Tonio Pace is the foundation's CEO. "The board members and the CEO have significant experience in the education profession locally," Zahra said. Compilation continues The Zahra tragedy unfolded a story of troubled youth and clues of com- plex teenage relationships. It tran- spired that Tanti, 23, had been in a relationship with the 15-year-old student while teaching drama at St Michael Foundation, where he had been drafted in as a supply teacher. Zahra was yet to take her 'O' levels, but against the image of a promising life ahead of her, is court evidence on her self-harm and online behaviour. Her username for her personal Tum- blr account was 'redrum', the plot device used in Stephen King's novel The Shining, and at home, it was re- vealed that she stashed a razor blade inside a soft toy, ostensibly used for self-harming. Tanti is being charged with caus- ing Zahra's death; assisting in her suicide; corruption and defilement of a minor; abuse of his position of trust; misuse of technology; and pos- session of indecent material involv- ing minors. mdalli@mediatoday.com.mt Lisa Maria's tragic death inspires family to take action MORE ONLINE http://goo.gl/tmNqh9 Lisa Maria Zahra Malta's first website dedicated solely to food and recipes by Malta's best chefs is now online at www.gourmettoday.recipes Gourmet Today now on TVM After five years of publishing Malta's favourite food magazine, Gourmet Today moves to television, on TVM every Friday at 18:45. Presented by Moira Delia and chef Sean Gravina Your fave recipes now online! Malta's best home cooks are at your service: follow easy, step-by-step instructions on how to make delicious creations like Pippa Mattei's apricot Khubani ki chutney... easy to make, enjoyed with curries, or even in a pork or beef sandwich. Yum! 'How to' videos make it easy as pie No job is so small it does not deserve to be done perfectly. But our ideos will take you back to basics, making the small jobs in the kitchen faster, simpler, more professional- looking and way more fun. Master them at home and cook yourself into a better chef! Like our Facebook page now and win a smashing weekend at the Radisson Blu in St Julian's www.facebook.com/gourmettoday