Winter is fast approaching and thousands of refugees fleeing war, persecution and poverty will only just survive the freezing cold temperatures and horrible weather that will grip Europe. While many "European" children are now looking forward to getting their hands on their long-awaited Christmas presents, others will be staring blankly into the void, darkness and emptiness of a life deprived of childhood.

For us, the lucky ones, there are two courses of action we can take; either simply look in the other direction, hence staying comfortably numb, or else give our fair share of help as a human being for another human being. In this context, local entities like SOS Malta (www.sosmalta.org) are currently collecting donations to help this cause, and even a small donation can make a difference.

Throughout these testing times where many may be tempted to look the other way for one reason or another, I believe that the underlying principles of solidarity, liberty and humanity that basically differentiate us from the forces of evil will ultimately prevail, socially and politically. Leaving children behind barbed wires, and looking the other way is just not an option. Pure and simple! Taking that road would necessarily imply that we are not much better than the individuals spreading terror in Paris and the civilised world.

J. Grech

Victoria