LCCUK CHRISTMAS CHARITY 2020: ORDER OF MALTA RELIEF ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA
LCCUK CHRISTMAS CHARITY 2020: ORDER OF MALTA RELIEF ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA

People aged over 65 are most exposed to poverty in Lithuania, with 32% living below the poverty risk line.

 

Every day The Order of Malta Relief Organization in Lithuania (locally known as Maltesers (Maltiečiai) is providing assistance for the poor, disabled, lonely, socially vulnerable people and promoting social responsibility of the society as well as volunteering activities.

STATISTICS OF THE ORDER OF MALTA RELIEF ORGANIZATION IN LITHUANIA

43 groups of Maltesers

1000 adult volunteers (approx.)

500 Young Maltesers (in 25 cities and villages)

2600 elderly who get our regular assistance

17 Malteser children daycare centers and 1 open-type youth center (the centers are attended by 380 children from deprived families) 

5 senior clubs with 102 active members

2 senior daycare centers that are attended by 30 seniors

LONG-TERM MALTESERS PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS

Assistance for the elderly and food support

There are many old, lonely and disabled elders in Lithuania who live beyond the poverty line. For many years already Maltesers take care of lonely elders. This is our main area of activity. There are about 2600 elderly all around Lithuania who regularly get our assistance.

From November till the end of December for the 15th time Maltesers have their annual fundraising campaign ‘Maltesers' Soup’. This campaign is organized to support the elderly and collect necessary funds that ensure assistance for elders all year round.

Services for children and youth work

We have 17 Children day care centers. There are 380 children who regularly attend day care centers.

Children day care centers are open 5 days per week (4-8 hours per day). In addition to Children day care centers, there is an open youth space in Vyžuonos village where 15 teenagers join together after school.

Assistance for the disabled 

In August, it was already the 6th time when Maltesers have organized rehabilitation camp for the disabled ‘Move It’. The team of 9 instructors (some of whom are also in wheelchairs) and 10 volunteers have provided medical and emotional care and support for 14 young people in wheelchairs. Some of the participants had enough experience and knew what it means to live in a wheelchair and some of them were still inexperienced. This camp has created an amazing opportunity to share experience, knowledge and advice. At the end of the camp we have reached great results. Participants who came here for the first time after their life changing trauma and participants with muscular atrophy related disability have learned how to use a wheelchair, eat, get dressed and go to the city.

Canitherapy is a type of rehabilitation where specially trained dog helps the disabled to make a social contact and encourage their motivation. Our 4 specially trained dogs are the same Maltesers as all the other volunteers. There are 4 volunteers in Klaipėda who take care of the dogs used in canitherapy sessions. The dogs assist children with special needs and help them gain more confidence, responsibility and ability to adapt in the society. 

VOLUNTEERING

Volunteering for adults

From time to time many adults are thinking about the importance of volunteering activities. However, without the help of any organization this dream to assist others is not so easy. For this day, Maltesers have a strong team of adult volunteers (about 1000 members) who take care of elderly, children, disabled and deprived families free of charge. Malteser volunteers are the first ones to help in various emergency situations. Needless to say, volunteering is beneficial not only for the society but also for each volunteer as well. It’s good that volunteers can provide assistance at any time when they are able.

Young Maltesers

Young Maltesers is an important part of the Order of Malta Relief organization, with more than 500 active members in 20 cities of Lithuania. We are happy that these are active young people who learn how to solve various social problems and develop through volunteering.

Young school paramedics

This program takes place in the country’s schools and is popular among pupils.  The final competition of the year took place in Jonava. There were more than 10 different schools involved from 5 cities of Lithuania. During the competition, 40 young paramedics competed for 3 days.

The Order of Malta Relief Organization belongs to the Sovereign Order of Malta which is recognized for its charitable activities for more than 950 years.

More information: https://maltieciai.lt