Saturday, 17th Jannar 2026

3.00 pm – 4.30 pm

Kappella tal-Providenza, Siġġiewi

For children aged 8 to 10 years and their families

Animated reading, Creative writing, Reflective hands-on activity

Maltese or English

The National Literacy Agency, in collaboration with Spiritual Development in Schools, is organising 11 sessions of storytelling, creative writing, and reflection in the programme entitled ‘With Reading and Writing I Find a Beloved Space’ for children aged 8–10 years.

These animated reading sessions in Maltese and English from the newly published book ‘Spazju għal Qalbi – Beloved Space’ by author Silvana Cardona will take place in various locations across Malta and Gozo.

These sessions offer an excellent opportunity for children to develop their reading and creative writing skills, and through imaginative and reflective activities, help them connect with their inner selves, express their innermost feelings, and engage in creative expression.

The session was an inspiring encounter where children and families were gently led into the story Cardboard on the Pavement. Before the storytelling began, a short video prompt was used to spark curiosity and invite children to think and wonder about the theme. This prepared them to engage more deeply with the animated storytelling that followed, as expressive narration and visuals helped them connect emotionally with the story’s message.

Divided into two groups based on language preference, Matthew Gauci guided the English-speaking group, while Silvana Cardona led the Maltese group. Following the storytelling, the children imagined interviewing a homeless person. Through creative writing, they formed thoughtful questions and responses, which they later shared with one another. Their writing revealed deep empathy, compassion, and an emerging awareness of the dignity and experiences of people who are often overlooked.

A simple cardboard home was then transformed into a prayer space. Stepping inside, the children paused to reflect and pray, discovering how even the humblest space can become a place of silence, care, and encounter with God. Read more about this prayer activity

The session was further enriched by Fr Reuben, who spoke about the chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Divine Providence. He reminded participants that our Mother Mary prays for us to God, who always provides, and explained the symbols in the painting of Our Lady of Divine Providence, helping children understand how faith and trust are expressed through sacred art.

The experience concluded with a meaningful gesture from the L-Aġenzija Nazzjonali tal-Litteriżmu, which donated a book to every participant celebrating reading and imagination, and allowing each child to take home a reminder of the beloved space they had shared.

Is-sessjoni offriet esperjenza fejn it-tfal u l-familji ġew ispirati permezz tal-istorja animata ‘Kartun Fuq Bankina’. Qabel il-qari animat, intuża filmat qasir bħala spunt biex iqanqal il-kurżità u jistieden lit-tfal jaħsbu dwar it-tema. Dan ħejjihom biex jidħlu b’mod aktar profond fl-istorja animata li segwiet, fejn in-narrattiva espressiva u l-viżwali għenuhom jgħaqqdu emozzjonalment mal-messaġġ tal-istorja.

It-tfal tqassmu f’żewġ gruppi skont il-preferenza tal-lingwa: Matthew Gauci mexxa l-grupp tal-Ingliż, filwaqt li Silvana Cardona mexxiet il-grupp tal-Malti. Wara l-qari, it-tfal immaġinaw li kienu qed jintervistaw persuna bla saqaf fuq rasha. Permezz tal-kitba kreattiva, iffurmaw mistoqsijiet u tweġibiet mimlijin ħsieb, li mbagħad qasmu bejniethom. Il-kitba tagħhom uriet empatija profonda, kompassjoni, u għarfien dejjem jikber tad-dinjità u l-esperjenzi ta’ persuni bla dar li spiss jiġu injorati.

Permezz ta’ dar b’kaxxa tal-kartun imbagħad inbidlet fi spazju ta’ talb. Meta daħlu fil-kaxxa tal-kartun, it-tfal waqfu ftit biex jirriflettu u jitolbu, u skoprew kif anke l-aktar spazju umli jista’ jsir post ta’ silenzju, kura lejn min hu bla saqaf, u laqgħa ma’ Alla.

Is-sessjoni kompliet tissaħħaħ permezz tal-kontribut ta’ Dun Reuben Gauci, li tkellem dwar il-Kappella tal-Madonna tal-Providenza. Hu fakkar lill-parteċipanti li Ommna Marija dejjem tipprovdi u spjega s-simboli fil-pittura tal-Madonna tal-Providenza, u b’hekk għen lit-tfal jifhmu kif il-fidi u t-tama jidhru fl-arti sagra.

L-esperjenza ntemmet b’ġest sinifikanti mill-Aġenzija Nazzjonali tal-Litteriżmu, li tat ktieb lil kull parteċipant biex ikomplu jiċċelebraw il-qari u l-immaġinazzjoni d-dar u jiftakru fil-mumenti għal qalbhom li qasmu flimkien.

This event is part of the With Reading and Writing, I find a Beloved Space programme.