By Rosanne Zammit |Times of Malta

Former street boys are seeing a dramatic change in their lives after having moved into a home run by a Maltese woman in Ethiopia. The home was set up by a 72-year-old Maltese woman Monica Tonna-Barthet, a former United Nations employee.

She had sold her home in Gharghur, her car, her collection of antiques and other possessions and used the money and her life savings to buy land and to pay for the construction of the The Angels Children’s Home back in 2007. The home was built in Addis Ababa under the umbrella of the Kebena Kidane Mihret Catholic Church.

It provides the boys, aged seven to 14, with food, shelter, clothing and medical support as well as counselling with a view to giving them the chance to experience love, friendship and discipline.

“The boys are doing extremely well in their schoolwork. They are also learning farming and producing some beautiful bamboo work” said Margaret Tonna-Barthet, Monica’s sister, after one of her regular visits to Ethiopia.

“They also love playing football and going out on education outings.”

The home is currently housing 20 sick street boys – including five who have HIV – and caring for another two who do not live in the home.

The ground floor has a refectory, a study, a kitchen and Monica’s bedroom. The first floor comprises dormitories, and the second houses a recreational area with two table tennis tables, an area for netball, a television set and games.

Ms Tonna Barthet thanked Maltese donors for their generosity, saying that their help was going a long way.

People can sponsor a child at the home at €340 per year. Cheques should be deposited at HSBC account 006 043 020 051, c/o Margaret Tonna-Barthet 61/2, Triq Windsor, Sliema 1852.

Information or photos are available from Margaret Tonna-Barthet on 2133 4162.