It certainly was a rude awakening in Mdina yesterday. As soon as one got round the corner leading to the cathedral square, the din made by hundreds of schoolchildren filled people’s ears as they gathered to take part in Dawra Durella.

The event was organised by the Equal Partners Foundation in an effort to raise money for children with special needs in some 200 families. This is the second time that the activity has been organised, with e5,800 being raised last year through the participation of some 1,600 children.

Children’s Commissioner Carmen Zammit spoke to the toddlers, who are in first and second year kindergarten, and told them that they should cherish this experience as they would probably not have one like it again. She encouraged them to learn about Mdina and to make as many friends as possible.

The parliamentary secretary for youth and sport, Clyde Puli said he felt it was a great thing for kids of such a young age to help others in this way, while at the same time getting to know more about Malta’s culture and history.

He said that the Equal Partners Foundation should be encouraged to continue the sterling work it carries out and said that such initiatives that combine learning with fund raising should be given support. He said that bringing children together in this manner helps remove the element of selfishness that has crept into modern life. He rounded off by calling for a big scream from the children to ensure that “the whole of Malta can hear you”. Needless to say, they obliged.

President Eddie Fenech Adami also made a small speech and told the children to always hold human dignity as a tenet to build their lives around.