Paulo Freire Institute in Malta: promoting the development of the most vulnerable
Arturo Sosa’s visit to Malta began at the Paulo Freire Institute. He arrived late in the morning and had a fraternal meeting with Fr. Edgar Busuttil, the director.
In a way, the work was born in 1989,” he explained, “from the decision to live close to the people in order to understand their real needs. Living among the people in order to understand their real needs”. This is the reason why, in 1989, the Province of Malta opened a small community residence in Ir-Raħal t’Isfel, Żejtun, as part of the Jesuit Centre for Faith and Justice that had recently been created. At the same time, the community was entrusted with the task of reflecting on issues of social justice in order to create awareness about these realities.
“It was precisely through living in close contact with the people and listening to them that illiteracy was identified as one of the most pressing issues. This led to the founding of the Paulo Freire Institute Foundation, which aims to empower and promote the self-development, self-reliance and talents, including functional literacy, of each individual, especially the most vulnerable in society”.
The Institute uses three interrelated approaches: community development, formal and non-formal education and community social work.
In 2023 approximately 300 persons received support from PFI, 130 children and 170 adults. Since September 2001 circa 8000 have been assisted.
