Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/858250
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 6 AUGUST 2017 40 Information Technology Six months have passed since the MITA Cares Committee was setup to drive the agency's Corporate Social Responsibility. Since then, a lot of philanthropic initiatives have been organised, aimed at supporting different segments of society. Much more are being planned for the future. Early in January 2017, MITA Cares was es- tablished to replace the CSR and Generous Hearts initiatives within MITA. A statute and a set of operating principles were drafted, while a proper handover was given from the previous committee. The primary objectives of MITA Cares were set in such a way that MITA becomes a corporate leader for social responsibility, by address- ing genuine social problems and responds to community concerns. To achieve these results, MITA will proactively address MITA Cares' issues and will incorporate MITA Cares as part of its vision, values and practices. Presentation about MITA Cares to the Presi- dent A presentation about the role played by MITA Cares was delivered to Her Excellency the President of Malta, Marie Lou- ise Coleiro Preca during a visit at MITA's Head Office. Accompanied by rep- resentatives from the Malta Community Chest Fund, the President was told about the philanthropic activities that will be organised in the community and with non-governmental agencies. These include the collection of monetary donations during team building events and initiatives; ongo- ing blood donations every two months; do- nations of ICT related hardware; sponsorship of philanthropic challenges and missions; financial contributions through MITA and logistical support provided through volun- teers. Another important initiative is the scheme adopted internally by the employees, where- by those employees who experience difficul- ties are helped through a fund which is built through a small monthly donation from em- ployees' wages. During this occasion, MITA's Executive Chair- man, Tony Sultana also launched a new scheme called "Extended Care" through which MITA will provide financial assistance to MITA employees or their relatives who are facing challenging times due to illness and health conditions. Through this scheme, em- ployees and their relatives can take the nec- essary treatments or buy special equipment that they require. President Coleiro Preca was very pleased with the introduction of this concept and she encouraged more companies to follow these steps to take care of the holistic well-being of employees. Meanwhile, the President was also presented with new laptops to be used by the Malta Community Chest Fund Foundation. Fund-raising for the Prison Inmates Pro- gramme One of the main fund-raising activities organ- ised by MITA Cares involved the collaboration with the Prison Inmates Programme, co-ordi- nated by Caritas Malta. This initiative was spread over two days and more than €1,240 were collected and donated to Caritas Malta, who will use these funds for internal capital projects that directly impact the rehabilitation process of inmates attend- ing these programmes. Logistic suppost to Puttinu Cares and MCCFF Through MITA Cares, the agency also provided logistical support during philantropic events organised by Puttinu Cares. Such an event was organised during a TVM programme on Good Friday, in which MITA has been teaming up with Puttinu Cares for the last three years. This year, MITA focused on the pledging sys- tem and the related logistics to co-ordinate the collection of donations. Over 40 MITA volunteers took more than 1,100 phone calls during the four hour programme. More than Supporting our community through Collaborating with Chef Manuel Aquilina in a fund-raising activity for the Prison Inmates Programme MITA employees taking pledge calls and inserting the information in an electronic system c s