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On Saturday 9th August the OASI Foundation Primary Prevention Team held the 23rd edition of the annual open-air festival Riflessi Sajfin, at Menqa in Marsalforn, Gozo.

A number of new performers and other established singers and dancers were given the opportunity to perform this year. Some of the artists were: Deborah C, YADA Dance Academy Gozo, Centre Stage, New Identity Line Dancing by Josephine Farrugia, Audrey Marie Bartolo and Sarah Bonnici.

The festival’s stage was provided by the Gozo Culture and Information Office at the Gozo Ministry, and was equipped with the latest light and sound . The thrilling experience was a delight for presenters Nicole and Brenton Azzopardi.

We would like to take the time to thank all the sponsors for their support, as they are invaluable and helped in making this event possible, namely: Lombard Bank, Satariano and GO. Also, General Soft Drinks sponsored through Kristal Water, Nectar Group of Companies, Malta Tourism Authority, Mediterranean Bank, The Alfred Mizzi Foundation, Fimbank, Smuggler’s Cave Restaurant, Downtown Hotel, San Antonio Hotel, Calypso Hotel, Ramla Bay Resort, Downtown Restaurant, Captain Morgan Cruises, Gozo Arts, Arkadia, Tutto Casa, Duke’s Café, Marilyn’s Hair and Beauty Salon, Alveene’s Hair and Beauty Salon, AEL Car Rentals and Eldorado Restaurant.

The three hour festival was a huge success, with a variety of artists performing on stage and with hundreds of Maltese, Gozitans and foreigners attending the event.

We would like to also thank all those who participated on and behind stage and the general public who have always given OASI Foundation their support and appreciation. Special thanks go to all OASI volunteers for their organisational support. Thank you all for helping once again and for the 23rd time to make Riflessi Sajfin 2014 the success that it was!

 

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To commemorate the 23rd anniversary since the opening of the OASI Foundation, Director General Fr Emmanuel Cordina celebrated a thanksgiving Mass at its centre in Victoria.  During the ceremony, the Oasi Award was presented to Dorothy Meli, Maria Debono and Carmen Cordina for their help and support over the years.

Gozo Minister Anton Refalo emphasised that Oasi is a source of energy and hope for those in need and especially for youths. Present for this commemoration were members of the board of directors, staff, volunteers, benefactors, clients and their families.

The Foundation provides all its services free of charge.

Anyone wishing to support the foundation may send a donation to the director-general, Oasi Centre, 5, Triq Wied Sara, Victoria VCT2963.

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The International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, commemorated annually by the United Nations, coincided with the 23rd anniversary of its founding, the OASI Foundation.

On this day, the OASI Foundation organised a National Discussion,' The True Reality: Decriminalisation, Legalisation or Depenalisation?' which was held at the Grand Hotel Mgarr. The debate, moderated by Dr. Andrew Azzopardi, consisted of two panels composed of experts who discussed the topic at hand.

During the discussion, Dr Justyne Caruana, Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Aging, spoke of the need to be more sensitive on social sectors. She said that further collaboration was needed between stakeholders concerned in these areas, by pulling together and working towards achieving one goal.

The audience was an active participant in the debate, and included representatives from diverse fields, including government agencies, non-governmental organisations, educators, persons working with youths and students, as well as agencies with direct ties to drug issues and drug users, including Sedqa and Caritas.

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On Saturday 10th August the OASI Foundation's Prevention Team held the 22nd edition of the annual open-air festival Riflessi Sajfin, at the Menqa in Marsalforn Gozo.

The three hour festival, which was presented by Joseph Refalo and Kelly Cassar, was a huge success, with a variety of artists performing on stage and with hundreds of Maltese, Gozitans and foreigners attending the event.

A number of new performers and other established singers and dancers were given the opportunity to perform this year including Deborah C, YADA Dance Academy Gozo, Qala Folk Group, Gozo Line Dancers by Josephine Farrugia, Power House, Brenton Azzopardi, and Sarah Bonnici.

The Organising Committee of Riflessi Sajfin 2013 would like to thank all the sponsors who have made this event possible, namely: APS Bank, St. James Hospital, Dominic’s Department Store, The Alfred Mizzi Foundation – The Atrium, AX Foundation and GO. Also, Nectar Group of Companies, Malta Tourism Authority, Farsons Faoundation, Kempinski Hotel, Calypso Hotel, Soreda Hotel, Preluna Hotel, Solana Hotel, Bella Vista Hotel, Park Hotel, Ramla Bay Resort, Tony & Guy, Odyssey Restaurant, Kartell Restaurant, Annie’s Salon, Marlena’s Hair Mania, Sempre Bella Beauty Salon, Pebbles Restaurant, Elysian Beauty Salon and Smuggler’s Cave Restaurant. We would like to take the time to thank them all for all their support.

Special thanks goes to all those who participated on and behind stage and the general public who have always given OASI Foundation their support and appreciation. Thank you all for helping once again and for the 22nd time to make Riflessi Sajfin 2013 the success that it was!

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The Group of OASI Volunteers organised a very successful seminar which was held at Manresa.

'Communication in its many forms'  was the subject covered. Psychologist Mr. Laner Cassar led two sessions in the morning and then Katerina Thome followed through with a session ' Relaxation and Stress through the Breath'.

Both sessions were interesting and informative. OASI would like to thank Mr Cassar and Ms Thome for their time and their presence during these sessions.

 

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Each year on the 26th of June the world celebrates the International Day against Drugs promoted annually by the United Nations. But this same date is also OASI Foundation Day in Gozo, this OASI celebrates its 22nd Anniversary.

To commemorate this event, on the 26th of June, activities were held exclusively for current and past OASI service users. Then on Sunday, the 30th of June, at the St. Michael’s Hall of the OASI premises, the Bishop of Gozo, Mgr Mario Grech assisted by the Director General of the OASI Foundation, Fr. Emmanuel Cordina and Mgr. Carm Farrugia, Assistant Director of Caritas, celebrated the Holy Eucharist as a thanksgiving service.

Mgr Mario Grech emphasised that OASI has evolved throughout these 22 years thanks to the determination and aspiration of the founder, Fr. Emmanuel Cordina and the willpower of the clients who willingly sought help in order to overcome their problems. He enphasised that while it is positive that the civil authorities continue to support OASI financially they must enhance their willful efforts to bring to accountability those persons who are constantly threathening and robbing the lives of the weak members of our society.

Present for this celebration were the Board of Directors, the Minister for Gozo, Dr Anton Refalo, members of Parliament, staff, volunteers, benefactors, clients and their families.

The OASI Award presented by the OASI Director General this year went to the Gozo Diocese, Microsoft Malta & Exigy and to Mr. Joseph V. Refalo Jr and Mr. Noel Xerri, whose made it possible for OASI to improve its ICT performance. Afterwards everyone present joined in to socialise together with food and refreshments.

22 Years of Continuous and Caring Activity Throughout its existence, OASI has always believed that Prevention is better than cure. While OASI is mostly associated with problems related to addiction, its field of work is wider than one may think. In fact it has been very couragious to create alternative edutainment activities for all generation to keep them out of the mess of substance abuse. It has helped thousands of children, youths and adults alike.

Through its wide spectrum of caring services operated from its headquarters in Gozo OASI reached out to its service users coming from Malta and Gozo, who represent a cross-section of the whole leader scale of society. OASI made its stronghold in its educational and preventive program in all schools in Gozo.

Each year it reaches out to all students from an early stage at their primary level into the post-secondary level of their education, supporting them along the way with its preventive activities. In the last 12 months, 3641 children and youths benefitted from its preventive program apart several parental skills sessions and the various interventions on local and national radio and television stations. To these one has to add the Foundation’s official magazine, OASI.com with its valuable informative and educational articles, distributed to all the households in Gozo.

The most acknowledged OASI activity is its treatment & rehabilitation program based on the 12 Steps of AA, where thousands of persons suffering from intensive addiction problems have found a multidisciplinary team of dedicated professionals ready to assist them in their recovery from their addiction be it from drugs, alcohol or any other dependency.

Last year some 289 individuals benefited from the OASI intensive residential and outpatients therapeutic services, 38% of which are Gozitans.

All services are provided free of charge. Those who want to support OASI Foundation may send their contribution to the Director General, OASI Centre, 5, Triq Wied Sara, Victoria VCT2963, Gozo.

 

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The OASI Foundation was funded in Gozo on the 26th June 1991. Three main departments work around the clock in order to provide our community with services related to the prevention, intervention and treatment of substance abuse and addiction.

OASI said that this means that its main priorities are to ensure that the general public is fully informed about the harmful effects of alcohol and other drugs, to provide counselling services to those who are going through a crisis which could lead to substance abuse and to implement a program which is dedicated to those who have fallen victims to addiction.

OASI’s motto is ‘Prevention is Better than Cure’ so part of the Primary Prevention department’s work is to create awareness to students from the age of Year 1 to Post-Secondary Schools in all schools in Gozo both public and church schools.

In the scholastic year that is coming to an end, the officers of the Primary Prevention have met 656 students in Primary Level, 710 in secondary level and 77 in Post-Secondary. So as one can see it has been quite a buzzing year here in the Prevention Department.

With recent research confirming that drug abuse is on the increase, and that the age of abusers is always decreasing, we believe that Prevention services may help to fight against these numbers, trying to keep victims of drug abuse, and addiction as low as possible.

If someone needs the help of the OASI Foundation or needs some information, one can call on 21563333 and there one will be directed to the service needed.

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Riflessi Sajfin 2012

On Saturday 11th of August, presented its 21st edition of  its annual open air festival Riflessi Sajfin at Il- Menqa, Marsalforn.

The OASI Foundation stages Riflessi Sajfin with three clear aims in mind: primarily, to promote local talent as an alternative leisure and to provide prospective young artists an opportunity to exhibit themselves on a professionally equipped stage in front of a big audience.

Secondly, the events provide a channel through which OASI can promote its preventive messages against alcohol and drug abuse, and thirdly to provide free, family-friendly entertainment in return for its support during the years.

The three-hour festival was a huge success, with hundreds of Maltese, Gozitans and foreigners attending the event. The festival's stage was made available by the Culture Department of the Gozo Ministry and was equipped with the latest light techno-logy (by MICHO) and sound technology (by ProStage Sound). The event was presented by Christabelle Borg and Deborah C.

A big thankyou goes to  Lombard Bank, The Farsons Foundation, General Soft Drinks Ltd sponsored through Kristal Water, Central Academy of Dance, Lorne Cremona Photography, Smugglers Cave Restaurant and Pizzeria, MICHO, Pro Stage, SMC Design, Gozo Culture and Information Office, Kempinski Hotel San Lawrenz, Grand Hotel, Downtown Hotel, Arzella Restaurant, San Antonio Hotel and Spa., Odyssey Restaurant, Hair Cutz, Arkadia, Mark Xiberras Hair Studio, Looks Hair Salon, Roma Enterprise Ltd, Ta’ Panellu, Pulena, Marlene D and Murella. 

The OASI Foundation would also like to thank everyone who helped and supported in this event.

 

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On Sunday, 24th June 2012, the OASI Foundation organised an Open Day to celebrate the 20th Anniversary from the opening of the Administrative Centre at 5, Wied Sara Street, Victoria.

Visitors to the Centre benefited from a variety of activities organised for all the family, which included a Harley Davidson Motorbike Show, Bouncing Castle, Face painting, Guided tour of the OASI Premises, Ex-Clients’ Sharing, White Elephant Stall and a show by Greenfields. A section was also dedicated to Maltese Arts and a food and drinks stall.

The Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, and the Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family, Chris Said, were present to support this important event for the Foundation, and unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

 

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The last edition of the prestigious annual event of Youth of the Year was held by OASI Foundation, last Saturday at Hotel Ta’ Cenc, Sannat, Gozo. Present for this national event were H.E The President of Malta Dr. George Abela, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono, Members of Parliament and heads of voluntary organisations and various educational and civil departments.

H.E The President of Malta Dr. George Abela, Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Gozo, Giovanna Debono and Fr. Cordina in their address acknowledged publicly the immeasurable amount of voluntary activity done for no personal gain but solely and constantly for philanthropic reasons by many Maltese and Gozitan youths. They all emphasized that a person does voluntary work mainly with one aim in mind and heart – that of helping others in need. “Although there is no material gain, the emotional one cannot be estimated as is it enormous,” said Sarah Borg in her address to those present. Dr. Abela and the Gozo Minister emphasised on the work done by the OASI Foundation in the last 20 years, especially on creating this National Award that highlights the youths in a positive manner.

Fr. Cordina concluded his speech by publicily announcing that the OASI Foundation, voluntarily and out of respect for the hightest civil institution of the country the Presidency of the Republic, as from last Saturday edition of the YOYA Award will cease organising the event through a loyal handover of the Presidential Award for the Volunteers launched earlier this year under the auspicies of the H.E Dr. George Abela, President of Malta.

Four youths, two from Gozo and two from Malta qualified for the final event held last Saturday. The nominations were presented by various organisations around Malta and Gozo. As the tradition requested, the event started with the acknowledgement of all nominees with a certificate and a commemorative trophy presented to each one of the nominees by the Director General of OASI Foundation Fr. Emmanuel Cordina, assisted by last ambassador of Youth of the Year, Ms. Sarah Borg.

Naturally the most exciting moment of the evening was when Public Notary Dr. Enzo Refalo proclaimed the verdict of the Selection Committee. An outbreak of applause greeted the announcement of Maria Pellicano from Siggiewi, Malta as the Youth of the Year 2011. From the detailed report read out to the public present by Notary Enzo Refalo, Chairperson of the Selection Committee, it was evident that the members of this year’s committee had a tough decision on their hands, due to the great amount of initiatives and dedication manifested in all the nominees’ community work.

H.E The President of Malta Dr. George Abela presented Maria Pellicano with the Youth of the Year Shield for 2011.

Maria Pellicano was nominated from the group S.T.A.N.D (Strive towards ability not disability). She did not only assist S.T.A.N.D by supporting the members in their activities but also helped other initiatives whenever time permitted her. In fact Maria also does voluntary work with: Agenzija Appogg – she helps the families that in their daily needs by empowering them through the provision of basic social skills, which are fundamental in the running of a family, Sisters of Madre Tereza – helps in the organization and running up of the summer school and also with the “doposcoula” during the winter time, Faith Alive – helps youths aged from 13 years in their spiritual formation.

The OASI Foundation would like to congratulate Maria Pellicano, and all the other nominees for taking the time to see past the material value of what life offers and help others in need. The Foundation would also like to thank its sponsors who, through their generous donations have made this special event possible: the Department of Customer Care at the Ministry for Gozo, National Youths Council, Malta Community Chest Fund, Hotel Ta’ Cenc, Prostage Sound, CVC Communications, Lorne Cremona Photography, Michael Grech Financial Investment Srvice Ltd. and Lombard Bank Ltd.

 

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