From Fr C. Cini

I feel very fortunate to have participated in this year’s Strina as the representative of the Salesians of Don Bosco. For the first time this year, St Patrick’s Salesian School was chosen as one of the beneficiaries of the money collected from L-Istrina. I managed to be present in that tent for the whole day, and if I had to define that extraordinary day I would say it was an experience in altruism.

It was great to meet so many people, especially young people, giving a hand on a voluntary basis to organise this charitable event. It was very evident that a lot of hard work had been done in the previous months. Everyone had a specific job and everyone knew what he/she was supposed to do. One would feel a sense of unity and harmony among the various coordinators under the direction of Peppi Azzopardi and Lou Bondi. People were happy to help collect as much money as they could. And when they faced difficult moments because the phones were not ringing as much as they wished, they smiled at each other as if to say: we have done what we can. As time passed, people got very tired but because they knew all their hard work was for a good cause, they didn’t give up. How edifying it was to see so many young people dedicating their free time to help people who are less fortunate.

In the name of the Salesians of Don Bosco I wish to thank all the organisers for helping our children in St Patrick’s School. These boys find shelter there to heal their wounds and to begin building a better future and live a normal life.

A special thanks goes to all who donated money and gifts to L-Istrina through which various charitable organisations could benefit. God bless you.

Charles Cini

SLIEMA