What
do the words Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl stand for?
Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl is the Maltese equivalent of "From
Darkness to Light". The Maltese language is an ancient one.
It is semitic and comes down from the Phoenicians. Later, it
acquired
a considerable influence of Classical Arabic. "Dlam" in
Maltese means "dark" or "darkness"; whereas "dawl" means "light". "Mid-"
is made up of "minn" (from) and the article "id-",
which together form "mid-". "Ghad-", on the
other hand, is made up of "ghal"
(to) and the article "id-", which combine to form "ghad-".
Learning Maltese is fun, isn't it?
How did Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl actually start?
In 1994 a prison reform was initiated in Malta. The government
then chose an American, Jim Rowland, to carry out the reforms.
Apart from many other reforms, Rowland allowed various groups
within the prisons. One such group was called MGBMFI, a rather
strange abbreviation standing for a religious
group that invited the prisoners to prayer. One such prisoner,
Jesmond Mifsud, who actually was an ex-policeman serving a sentence
for rape, attended one of these prayer meetings, and was subsequently
profoundly touched. Encouraged by Rowland's reforms, who incidentally
allowed prisoners to assemble on their own, formed a group of
self-help. This he called Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. And there
you have it. That's how the ball started rolling.
What does Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl do?
Well, we visit prisoners at Paola's correctional facility, and
we help out prisoners' families with their problems. This, basically,
is our work. Obviously, there are strings attached. For instance,
visiting prisoners doesn't means only that. It also means, for
instance, seeing to the prisoners' various needs, keeping a watchful
eye on the
prisons' administrative actions, helping prisoners straighten
out matters on the outside (especially if they're about to be
released very soon), and things like these. Again, helping out
prisoners' families also means, for instance, organising meetings
for them every fortnight. And yet, there is more. Our administration
meets once a week to assign work, plan ahead, and pool ideas.
These are some of the things we do. It is very
exciting and interesting, really.
Do I have to have some special kind of qualifications to join
your group?
Absolutely not, my friend. Just consider. Our director reads
philosophy, our secretary is a floor-manager at a printing press,
our coordinator is an electrical engineer, our official on the
international desk is a businessman, so on and so forth. You
see? We all come from different walks of life. To be honest,
we do
have some volunteers who are qualified in social work, psychology
or criminology, but these qualifications are not requisites.
What do you need then? You surely need a voluntary will to allow
prisoners to change your perspectives and make you grow. That's
what we all
had. And we form a pretty bunch! Don't you think?
I still am very young. Can I join your group?
Wow, now that's a problem! Dear friend, you understand that
working with prisoners is no piece of cake. Things can become
rough. We know you can handle it, but we really would
prefer if you were at least 18 years of age before starting this
kind of experience. Patience, my friend, patience!
I am a retired person. Would I be of any help if I join the
group?
Yes, indeed, why not? Please do! You will surely also benefit
yourself. My word for it.
I would like to make a donation. Whom should I send it to?
Money! We sure do need that kind of stuff! ... Just joking.
Cheques should preferably be made payable to Daritama, since
this is the mother organisation. Otherwise, you could make them
payable to Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl. Avoid personal names. After receiving
your donation we shall issue a receipt and send it to you.
Can you tell me how is your organisation financed?
OK, the tricky part. So here we go. The Foundation Daritama,
of which Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl is a statutatory part, operates through
a centralised fund. This means that all income, be it from Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl or from elsewhere, goes into this fund and is administered
accordingly by the financial controller of Daritama. You
should know that, though, Daritama receives some grants
from the government, the greatest part of the financial sustainment
of our organisation is from gratuitous
donations offered by the public.
What relations do you have with the government?
The matrimonial type, really! Jokes apart, Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl
is a non-government organisation, and so is completely independent
from any government influence. It is also part of Daritama, which
is a foundation. Being so, Daritama has an autonomous legal
personality.
Is Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl a prisoners' union?
Sort of. In the first place, prisoners are legally prohibited
from forming any type of association within the prisons. Secondly,
Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl has no formal membership registration, especially
for prisoners. These are two good reasons why Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl
is not a prisoners' union. On the other hand, however,
it is an organisation that is indeed looked at by prisoners
as a body that looks after their interests. If Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl
were officially a prisoners' union, than it would have been part
of the system, which it is not.
Does Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl have
an autonomous legal personality?
No. Dartiama has, because it is a foundation. Though Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl is part of Daritama it does not enjoy any legal personality.
Does Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl have a statute?
Yes it does. The statute orders its structure. But
this instrument is a mere internal working-tool of Daritama.
The statute, properly speaking, does not have any legal validity.
Its worth is moral, if you like. This notwithstanding, Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl considers its Declaration of Principles to be much
more important than its statute. You may take a look at this
Declaration if you click here.
Does Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl operate according to some code of
ethics?
No. We have our philosophy and principles,
but no code of ethics. The reason is that each case is dealt
with separately. Our work, particularly that with prisoners,
is so varied, and the circumstances of each case vary so much,
that a general code cannot do justice to the variety of cases
and circumstances.
Does Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl distribute donations?
Not indiscriminately. Sometimes we do give donations to particularly
destitute prisoners. We also frequently buy some necessities
for impoverished prisoners. But that would be all. Other donations
we make are really quite exceptional.
Does Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl organise fund-raising activities?
It is really not our style. And so: no, we don't.
Can family relations of prisoners enter the prisons as volunteers
of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl?
No, they can not. This is against prison directives.
Can ex-prisoners enter the prisons as volunteers of Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl?
Yes, they can, but only after two or three months after their
final release.
Do volunteers of Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl ever give witness
in court as to the character of a prisoner or ex-prisoner?
Yes, we do. Quite frequently, in fact.
Does Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl have one of its members part
of the Prison Board of Visitors?
At present we don't. We had a member part of the Board between
1996 and 1999, but not since.
Is Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl part of any international organisation?
Yes, it is. We are affiliated to Action for Prisoners' Families of
England and Wales, and an associate member of European Group
for Prisoners' Abroad. You shall find more about these if
you click here.
Does Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl have any achievements to boast of?
Don't you know that self-flattery is a sign of childishness!?
But, anyway, we do have a few achievements to boast of. Click here and
see for yourself.
Does Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl keep records of cases, publish statistics,
or anything of the sort?
Now that sounds pretty technical, doesn't it? Well records are
kept, for sure, but not for statistical purposes. This requires
a degree of sophistication that we are wont not to have,
or give. However, by the establishment of Victim Support Malta in 2004 a thorough system for record keeping shall be
installed and operated, and this shall undoubtedly have future
statistical value. Numbers have not been our priory. We prefer
to deal with people at all times. Victim Support Malta,
however, shall have to have a spotless public accountability
system, which is why a professional processing of statistical
data shall be kept.
What kind
of projects does Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl have for the future?
OK, dear, this part is covered by our projects section, which
you can take a look at if you click here.
Before proceeding, however, it may interest you to know that
one or two projects cannot be mentioned in that section because
of delicate nature. Forgive us. Sometimes this must be expected
from a field of work such as ours. OK, go.
Mid-Dlam
ghad-Dawl's got
a cute emblem. Does it have a special meaning?
Wow, thank you. Now you just click here and you'll have a ready
explanation waiting for you. As simple as that.
Send us your queries
