PRESS RELEASE BY DR LYDIA ABELA The Prime Minister’s wife joins a group of youths in a new project that aims to bring joy to children recovering in hospital

During a visit to Mater Dei Hospital, Dr Lydia Abela accompanied a group of young entrepreneurs who are carrying out an original project intended to bring comfort, hope, and reassurance to children receiving medical care in hospital.

The social initiative Dr Sunshine, under a programme run by the JA Malta Foundation, is built around the idea of distributing products such as reading books, colouring materials, and blankets that serve as a positive distraction for these children.

This idea arose from the personal experience of young Yasmine Shawish, who, when she was 8 years old, had spent a period in hospital and met a small patient who felt lonely and sad. She decided to share her toys with him, and it was there that she saw what a difference a simple gesture could make.

Inspired by this experience, Yasmine joined students from St Aloysius College and Junior College to create this project of compassion, which has now begun to be implemented in the hospital with the aim of brightening the journey of hospitalized children.

While helping distribute Dr Sunshine's comfort kits, Dr Lydia Abela praised the thinking behind this initiative, which helps children feel more comfortable while encouraging their calm, creativity, and imagination.

“These young people have managed to combine entrepreneurial thinking with a sense of social solidarity, which is now being translated into concrete action and a positive impact in the lives of these patients and their families," said Dr Abela.

The products in the comfort kits were selected following a research exercise to establish scientifically what could improve that difficult moment for young patients.

While recalling that this initiative led to Yasmine Shawish winning the Shape the Future award during the MARA event last March, Dr Abela congratulated the entire Dr Sunshine team for the generosity they are showing in doing good for others.

During this visit, Dr Abela also had the opportunity to speak with hospitalised children and their relatives, conveying a message of courage. She thanked the hospital's professionals and employees for their valuable work and their ongoing commitment to patient care.