Imagine a child, their small hands clutching the bars of a cot, eyes wide with anticipation. They’ve been waiting, hoping, for years. This isn’t a scene from a movie, but a reality for many children in Malta’s foster care system. At a recent conference, the question on everyone’s mind was: “Why leave a child hanging for years?”

Malta, with its warm climate and welcoming people, is often associated with joy and sunshine. Yet, behind closed doors, there’s a silent struggle. According to the Malta Council for the Voluntary Sector, there are currently around 200 children in foster care, with a significant number waiting for adoption. The process, however, is lengthy and complex.

At the heart of the issue is the lack of available adoptive families. “We need more local families to come forward,” says Dr. Maria Dimech, a social worker with over two decades of experience in child protection services. “It’s not just about providing a home, it’s about giving a child a family.”

The conference, held at the Mediterranean Conference Centre in Valletta, brought together social workers, psychologists, and potential adoptive parents. The discussions revolved around the challenges faced by both the children and the families.

One major barrier is the stigma surrounding adoption. “People often associate adoption with something negative, like a failure,” says Dr. Dimech. “We need to change this mindset. Adoption is about giving a child a loving home, a family.”

Another challenge is the legal process. Adoption in Malta is governed by the Adoption Act, which can be lengthy and bureaucratic. “We’re looking into streamlining the process,” says Minister for Family and Social Solidarity, Michael Falzon. “But we must ensure that it’s done right, for the sake of the children.”

Despite the challenges, there are success stories that offer hope. Take, for instance, the story of the X family from Birkirkara. They adopted a child after years of trying to conceive. “It was the best decision we ever made,” says Mrs. X. “Our child has brought so much joy into our lives.”

The conference ended with a call to action. “We need more families to step up,” says Falzon. “We need more people to open their hearts and homes to these children.”

As the conference concluded, the question remained: why leave a child hanging for years? The answer, perhaps, lies in our collective responsibility to give every child a loving home, a family.