Spread joy and resources this Christmas: Find out what NGOs need most right now

Gifts come in all shapes and forms, and not all can be wrapped or tied with a ribbon. During the Christmas season, many seize the chance to give back to their community. This includes companies and teams engaging in team-building activities, fundraising, or simply raising awareness for those who are less fortunate.

While it’s simpler to give donations, although always appreciated, the needs of NGOs and charities vary depending on their mission, resources, and the communities they serve. While some may require specific items like food or clothing, others might prioritise financial support, volunteer efforts, or specialised equipment to further their initiatives.

MaltaCEOs.mt reached out to eight NGOs across Malta and gathered the top needs of NGOs at the moment:

1) Centru Tbexbix

What is Ċentru Tbexix?

Ċentru Tbexix is an NGO that was established 15 years ago to undertake and support activities that improve the quality of life through education programmes for children, adolescents and women, in a holistic way that increases physical, mental, emotional and social awareness.

The centre organises free classes on meditation and yoga, workshops on ethics and civics, non-formal and informal learning for children and adolescents and training of local and international volunteers.

Its ultimate aim is to nurture human potential whenever possible with a special focus on people who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

How can you help? 

Currently, the centre is organising Christmas parties for children and seniors and is in need of monetary donations to support these events. Additionally, they are accepting gifts, including those tailored for seniors with mobility challenges, whom the NGO regularly visits at home.

2) The Association for Abandoned Animals (AAA)

What is the AAA?

AAA is a charity and an NGO that takes in abandoned and neglected animals, covering any medical expenses that might be incurred and work towards their rehoming. Its sanctuary is in Birzebbuga and frequently takes care of a lot of dogs who need love and care.

How can you help? 

The association needs monetary donations, detergents and dog food. This includes wet and dry food, chewies, biscuits, bones and treats. Vouchers from pet shops or food agents are also accepted.

Additionally, AAA is appealing for volunteers. “They need to be 16 and over and can start working at 7am and dedicate as many hours as needed.”

3) RMJ’s Horse Rescue

What is RMJ’s Horse Rescue?

Based in Siġġiewi, RMJ’s Horse Rescue was established in 2016 and houses horses, rehabilitated them and eventually found them a home. “Through social media and word of mouth, people started finding out what we were doing and suddenly horses bound for slaughter were then finding us,” the NGO said.

In 2019, RMJ moved to an abandoned pig farm and created a facility thanks to its volunteers and generous support from Malta and abroad. Currently, it houses over 80 horses.

It is the only NGO in Malta that can take in and rehabilitate neglect cases referred by Animal Welfare in Malta.

Furthermore, every year, around 300 horses are imported into Malta for sporting activities such as racing and polo. Due to size constraints and the cost of their maintenance the majority of injured and retired horses end up being slaughter. For that reason, RMJ has four missions:

• Maintain all horses in care, many of which have special needs.

• Rehome as many as possible. While some are rehomed locally, the majority are taken abroad. In fact, on average, it sends approximately nine horses to the UK per month as part of its Project Back to the Green.

• Make more room for horses and build more stables.

• Raise awareness and give something back.

How can you help? 

The main priority for the horse rescue is to receive financial donations. Subsequently, it is in need of food supplies, mostly hay, which can either be bought directly or through feed vouchers from its suppliers.

4) Carers for Stray and Abandoned Felines (CSAF)

What is CSAF?

CSAF was established in 2005 and is a shelter for stray cats that currently serves as the home of 300 cats and kittens. Along with rescuing and caring for abandoned felines, it promotes neutering programmes to control the stray populations.

Like other animal shelters, CSAF rehabilitates and rehomes cats and is also in need of considerable assistance.

How can you help?

As an NGO that runs solely on donations it needs monetary donations as it is a major cost to run a shelter that is a home to 300 cats.

Dry and wet food, litter, veterinary bills and detergents are amongst its biggest costs for the NGO, not considering electricity and water bills as well as the rent. And so, monetary donations are, therefore, the primary requirement.

“It’s always a struggle to make ends meet and it is difficult to turn away from people reaching out about sick and injured strays,” CSAF tells MaltaCEOs.mt

Furthermore, the NGO also requires the help of individuals experienced with cats as sometimes just one person ends up having to feed, clean, medicate cats who need special care, like kittens and sick or injured cats, along with the other cats under its roof.

“Having 300 residents is no joke to handle for 1 human being,” CSAF says.

5) Fondazzjoni Sebħ

What is Fondazzjoni Sebħ ?

Although set up by the Archdiocese of Malta in 1956, Fondazzjoni Sebħ became an NGO in 2018. Back when it first opened its doors, its primary focus was on providing children’s homes. However, this changed in 2000 when the archdiocese opened Dar Qalb ta’ Ġesu as a second-stage shelter for survivors of domestic violence; this is now called il-Milja.

The NGO provides residential services to children, female survivors of violence and their children, as well as community service offering support to individuals and families.

How can you help?

Fondazzjoni Sebħ requires different types of assistance. Firstly, like many other NGOs, monetary donations are crucial to ensure the smooth running of its services and to support individuals and families it assists, whether this is done through small individual donations, or via small fundraising events organised by staff.

Assistance is needed by volunteers to attend events and manage stands alongside its team members. This can also include taking care of opening its bazaar for a few days.

“We are always in need of items such as canned and frozen food, snacks and soft drinks as well as detergents and household items,”the NGO says.

The NGO also accepts companies who organise initiatives as part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR). Namely, companies and their employees can paricipate in sorting of in-kind donations, sorting of bazaar and also do some gardening (most preferably during weekday mornings).

In addition, Fondazzjoni Sebħ points out the employee appeal scheme where staff of various organisations are invited to contribute a small amount from their salary.

Furthermore, professionals can also offer their services whether it is medical, technical or through educational courses to empower and assist its residents.

And finally, Fondazzjoni Sebħ also requires help in marketing. This can with something simple as sharing its events, campaigns or when it does appeal or else through pro-bono services such as marketing,design and pro-bono legal assistance.

“Support, in any of these forms, would make a tremendous difference in the lives of those we serve,” the NGO says.

6) The Children in Need Foundation

What  is the Children in Need Foundation?

The Children in Need Foundation was established in 2000 by Daniel Abela, who also serves the role of Chairman, and was officially registered as a voluntary organisation in 2013.

It aims to raise funds and awareness in support of the physical, social and educational needs of children who are at a disadvantage in society.

The foundation has worked on different projects but primarily offers psychotherapy sessions to children who are in home care, and currently employs three specialised therapists. Additionally, it sends terminally sick children and their immediate family to a fully paid holidat at Euro Disney where the kids are treated like royalty.

It is also in the final stages of launching a programme with schools to reward children who do outstanding acts of kindness in society.

How can you help?

Mr Abela tells MaltaCEOs.mt that the best help and support it could be given is of a monetary donation.

“That would allow us to continue with our projects, whose expenditure exceeds €100,000 annually,” Mr Abela says.

7) Bee Savers Malta

What is Bee Savers Malta?

Bee Savers Malta rescues unwanted bee swarms and supports nature conservation. Formed by a group of environmentalists, Bee Savers Malta was born to pick up beehives from industrialised zones and releasing them back into the countryside.

Currently, the NGO is working on a bold concept, related to afforestation, which will son be unveiled.

How can you help?

At the moment any assistance is welcome, whether financial, as volunteers, or by becoming core members willing to dedicate their time and skills to enlarge the organisation.

8) ALS Malta

What is ALS Malta?

ALS Malta was founded by Bjorn Formosa in 2015, shortly after he was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Experiencing the challenges of this incurable condition firsthand, Bjorn became determined to advocate for improved care and awareness for those living with ALS and other neurological conditions in Malta. His initiative aimed to create a support system for patients and to fund research toward finding a cure. Despite his diagnosis, Bjorn channeled his energy into raising awareness and fostering a community to address the gaps in care and understanding of ALS​.

How can you help?

For ALS Malta financial donations are always a top priority due to the nature of capital projects. Companies can also promote their products by becoming one of the NGO’s ‘devotionALS’ where the product is promoted on its Facebook page against a donation.