The most prominent Maltese acquired plots in the whereabout of the current villa and built stately homes with imposing architecture, as a symbol of their position and for personal commodities.

[8][11] Galea appointed leading Architect Francesco Zammit to design a villa, who had an eye for details, expectations for the clients and architectural context.

[12] Galea was a prominent person and had close connection with the Roman Catholic Church who often corresponded with the higher hierarchy of the religion[13] and gave generous donations.

[17] The donation of the property received a prominent coverage by the Times of Malta on 19 September 1957, when passed to the sisters, and was described as a stately home due to being one of the largest residences in Sliema.

[17] The newspaper said that:[17] The stately home 'Betharram' in High street Sliema, formerly the residence of Mr and Mrs A M Galea has been taken over by the White Sisters to serve as a study house for the Congregation in Malta.

[17] About a year later on 29 January 1961, when the house had already received clients, it was officially inaugurated by Lady Granthem, the wife of the Government of Malta Sir Guy Grantham, followed by the blessing of Bishop Gonzi.

[17] The conversion proved to be successful and the shelter for minors and youth females remained a supporting ground leading for an eventual independent living.

[15][28] Throughout the years, since becoming a homelessness shelter, the house has received funding from the local government,[29][30] sponsorship or voluntarily work by private firms, and several means of donations by groups and individuals of different backgrounds.

[31][32][33] The home has also been the subject for studies related to social work in Malta in areas of involving children, poverty, homelessness and empowerment for women.

[34][35][36] It has been observed that among the needs of the clients of the house, before moving to independent living, is to help them deal with emotional feelings caused due their difficult childhood.

[42] Similar to Villino Zammit,[43] the Malta Environment and Planning Authority has scheduled Fatima House as a Grade II listed building.

[17] The interior of the villa is divided with the groundfloor being used for the more common living purposes and seldom open to the public, and the upper floor used privately by the residents which includes a dormitory.