71-year-old Karmenu Grima, resident of Burmarrad, is the winner of the first edition of the national award ‘B’Ħilti Wasalt’, organised by the peace laboratory under the patronage of the President of Malta Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca.

The award aknolwedges persons who have managed to overcome obstacles in their life to not only improve their own life, but also others.

After struggling with difficult experiences in his life, Mr Grima, along with his wife, dedicated his life for missionary. They both helped to build a hospital in Tanzania, a school in Pechetoni and Kenya. He also visited Gwatemala three times to help the gozitan priest Anton Grech.

In her address, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca said that like Mr Grima, we should believe in social justice and be ready to help the most vulnerable of society. She stressed that wealth should be distributed equally across society.