Help needed by home for children with challenging behaviour

Peter* only learnt how to communicate with other children at the age of 10, when he was uprooted from his village and hosted at a home for youngsters with challenging behaviour. The move presented a big challenge to the “rebellious” boy, but it was crucial for him to start coping with the depression that had gripped him at such a young age. Peter is one of 34 children who could easily have been shunned by society, or admitted to a mental health hospital, but was instead given one-on-one care by Richmond Foundation’s Kids In Development (KIDs) residential programme. A decade from its conception, the home that hosts this programme is relocating from Żejtun to Ħamrun and Richmond needs help for refurbishment – whether financial or in kind. The professionals that work at KIDs help children who have experienced severe emotional and behavioural difficulties develop healthy attachments, a sense of self-worth and personal development in a safe environment. Ten years after he set foot in the home, Peter told The Sunday Times of Malta that although at the time he did not appreciate his move there, if he had to relive the experience now, he would do it all over again. “Nowadays I realise...