Lady Kyra’s new chapter began with a question full of possibility: where could she belong? Finding the right location was the first step in her transformation. The aim was not simply to place the boat somewhere safe, but to give her a home where she could once again be part of people’s lives. After exploring different options, a meaningful partnership was formed with the Kalkara Local Council, and Ġnien is-Salvatur was chosen—a space where the community could easily gather, and where Lady Kyra could continue her story.

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From the very beginning, the project was shaped by the principles of Project-Based Youth Work. This meant that the young people involved were not just helping—they were leading. They were encouraged to make decisions, share ideas, and take responsibility for the direction of the project. It was a bottom-up process, where their voices mattered at every stage. Lady Kyra became their project, and through it, they learned by doing—developing practical skills, working as a team, solving problems, and seeing their ideas come to life.

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With a home secured, the group turned their attention to imagining what Lady Kyra could become. Ideas flowed freely, creativity was tested, and slowly a vision began to form. With guidance from Youth Workers, those ideas were shaped into real plans. The young people learned how to balance imagination with responsibility—thinking about safety, materials, budgets, and time. It was not just about dreaming, but about making those dreams possible.

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The vision they created was both playful and meaningful. Lady Kyra would become a space for children and the community: a small open library where stories could be shared, a blackboard for creativity, and a steering wheel to spark imagination. There would be elements that invited movement and play or climbing making the boat accessible and engaging. Her exterior would reflect Malta’s maritime heritage, painted in bright colours inspired by the traditional luzzu, and brought to life with cheerful sea creatures.

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Before any tools were picked up, the young people prepared themselves. They took part in workshops on woodworking, health and safety, and sustainability. These sessions were not just about learning techniques—they built confidence and a sense of responsibility. Equipped with new knowledge, the group was ready to begin.

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The work itself was demanding. Lady Kyra had weathered time and neglect, and restoring her required patience and effort. The hull, in particular, needed extensive care—caulking, filling, sanding, and painting. Yet, working together made the task lighter. While some cleaned and cleared years of debris, others began repairing and rebuilding.

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Safety guided every step. Structural work was prioritised, including new wooden flooring and the replacement of damaged sections of the foredeck. These changes ensured that the boat would not only look renewed, but would also be safe for everyone who would use her in the future.

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One of the most significant moments in the journey was moving Lady Kyra from the workshop to her new home in Ġnien is-Salvatur. It was a careful and coordinated effort, made possible through the support of community members believing in the project. With her arrival in the garden, the project felt real in a new way—Lady Kyra was finally where she belonged.

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In her new setting, the transformation continued. The boat was carefully sanded, and original wooden elements were preserved and the deck  oiled, maintaining a connection to her past. Inside, new features were crafted piece by piece. The small community library was built, varnished, and secured in place. A broken window was repaired, and a bench was added, giving the space both function and warmth.

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The work extended beyond the boat itself. The young people also restored the garden benches, reinforcing, sanding, and repainting them. In doing so, they contributed not just to Lady Kyra, but to the wider space around her—strengthening the sense of community ownership.

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As the final stages approached, colour began to transform the boat. Layers of paint brought brightness and life back to the hull, echoing the vibrant tones of traditional Maltese boats. Then came the details: sea creatures carefully designed and painted by the young people themselves, turning Lady Kyra into a joyful and inviting presence.

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Step by step, Lady Kyra was reborn. What began as a forgotten vessel became something entirely new—not through a single act, but through a shared journey of creativity, effort, and learning. This is the essence of Project-Based Youth Work: young people taking the lead, learning through real experience, and creating something meaningful together.

Today, Lady Kyra rests in Ġnien is-Salvatur, no longer sailing the sea but carrying something just as valuable. She holds stories, laughter, imagination, and connection. Once shaped by waves, she is now shaped by people—a lasting reminder of what can happen when young people are given the space to create, contribute, and belong.