An eight-year-old girl from Gozo, Riona Attard, is this year’s recipient of the Pope John XXIII award for kindness.

The award was presented to Riona by President Edward Fenech Adami, during a cere-mony at the Palace yesterday morning.

Riona, who is in Year Four at the Patri Matthew Sultana Primary School in Xaghra, Gozo, was nominated for the prize by the school’s principal Maria Assunta Attard and facilitator Mary Bajada, who helps Guzeppina Galea with her school work.

Riona met Guzeppina in her first year at the school and they have become close friends over the past four years. Thanks to Riona’s constant friendship and presence, Guzeppina has been able to communicate with other children and also take part in many school activities.

At home, Riona also had to face the fact that her father was sick in hospital and she never missed an opportunity to visit him in hospital until he passed away. Throughout this time, she never forgot Guzeppina and continued to help her on daily basis.

The young girl is loved by all the teachers and her fellow students. Her daily acts of kindness are always done discreetly, she never expects any reward and is a shining example to all her friends.

Riona is the first Gozitan student to win the gold medal bearing the image of the Kind Pope.

Dijonisju Mintoff, the director of the Peace Laboratory, said the award was established 44 years ago in recognition of an act of kindness shown by a young person towards his fellow citizens.

“We believe that kindness and mercy are essential elements of the Maltese identity,” he said. Fr Mintoff spoke out against the dangers of globalisation and pluralism for society and young people.

He pointed out that it was difficult for school children to fully develop under the present education system. “School exams should be a benchmark and not a matter of life and death,” he said.

President Fenech Adami congratulated Riona for her kindness and said that Fr Mintoff’s speech had been extremely thought-provoking.

“We are moving towards a more inclusive education, with equal opportunities for all students,” said Dr Fenech Adami.