I do not agree with part of your editorial (TMID, 27 December) which states that this year’s drop in the money raised by L-Istrina cannot be attributed to the fact that Malta is passing through a difficult economic phase.

You write that “while there are claims that these are difficult economic times for Malta, and that the people have less spending power, such activities reveal that whatever the circumstances, the Maltese are ready to make their contributions in support of worthy causes…”

I believe this is exactly the point. We are living in difficult economic circumstances and our spending power has decreased – and we still await the first water and electricity bills with the extra surcharge.

And yet, the Maltese are generous enough to still think of people in need and give them as much as they can afford. So, sir, I would have preferred it if you had used the phrase “in spite of the difficult economic times…” rather than “while there are claims…”

It would have meant that the people still give in spite of being in financial difficulty themselves.

And that would be a far greater donation because it would have come directly from the heart.

T. Bugeja

Paola