The Founder of Fondazzjoni Arka, an NGO that promotes the welfare of people with special needs and their families, Fr Manwel Curmi, passed away on Sunday.

Announcing the loss, the team at the foundation stated that Fr Curmi spent his entire life working to support people with disabilities.

“He was the driving force behind the establishment of Fondazzjoni Arka. The word ‘thanks’ is not enough for parents of children with disabilities in Gozo to express their gratitude,” the team said.

In an earlier interview with ‘The People of Malta’, Fr Curmi recounted how he had founded the foundation in 1999.

In the 1970s, when visiting the sick as part of his priestly duties, parents would often ask him what would become of their children after their passing.

“This question always impacted me. These children were hidden away, and we wanted to do something to start bringing them out, At the time we didn’t have a van or a residence,” he said.

After asking for help from Gozitan nuns, the foundation began to establish its roots and started the weekly activity of taking people with disabilities to church and then giving them a treat afterwards.

Recognising his work, the team at the foundation remarked that he “worked tirelessly and quietly, and this is reflected in the foundation.”

Various members of the community joined in sharing words of praise for Fr Curmi, thanking him for all the help and for introducing them to the sector.

“Fr Manwel will remain alive in our hearts through the foundation, that he started from the ground up and through which only God knows how many people benefitted from it,” one person wrote.