Many things are still shrouded in secrecy, hidden from the light.  The truth, though, has a life and a force of its own, which more often than not, will emerge and become known.  As we approach the end of this year, the belief has grown that we can make change happen. 

For some, that energy to bring the truth closer is a constant mission, a very intrinsic part of who they are and their purpose in life.  Often it comes with sacrifice and even loneliness or standing outside the crowd.  But it is something which cannot be denied.

The close of this year has seen a change in direction for our country and for our personal outlook.  Whether we were indifferent or bored or angry at the revelations we have been witnessing, in court and out of it, there is a collective sense that we must make change happen and cannot allow ourselves and our country to continue on the dark path of destruction and suffering. 

Some gained, some suffered. Some were lifted others crushed.  A Life was taken for which the price has not been paid. 

The stories and contradictions are all around us.  People who served others during their life are now found to be destitute, living in a car, penniless.  But for years they had to endure the vaunting of how Malta has a surplus and we have generated so much economic activity that we must find workers from abroad to fill the vacancies.  None of that was much help to those who could not find the help they needed.

Having exploited the workers as needed, we turn their families and children away.  Young men or women who have found legitimate employment here but who are separated from their spouse or their children because they are not permitted to apply for them to come over or their income not sufficient to cover the cost of living here.  Life becomes lonely, work becomes a burden.  Most often, though, it is those who are grateful for a job who smile and work politely, whilst others who are comfortable and able to enjoy their family and the fruit of their work, have a negative attitude, always expecting more.

We cannot just go from one high-lighted case to another, whilst ignoring the widespread indifference to those who are victims of the corrupt or uncompassionate system around us. 

At this place where Malta finds itself, troubled and shamed, the victims of crime and in particular, those who remain without justice point us to the direction of what needs to be done, of the change that must happen.  The unexpected development has been that slowly, very slowly, people began to realize that we are all victims of crime and injustice if even one person has been wronged.  Let alone, as many sense, the whole country. 

To pretend that our nature and character as a nation has not changed is to believe fake news, fiction.  We have been living this fiction that we are good people, generous, smart, family-loving and good Christians because that is what our parents and teachers but mostly, what our media and politicians told us, so that we could not identify with anything else. 

Realisation, though, amongst those with some mind of their own, is restoring power to the people who can no longer remain indifferent or fooled.  Voices must be heard and avoiding responsibility is cheap and dirty.   All those who have a role of power should take note.

It is also necessary for all those who feel marginalized and others whose rights have been abused, to speak out and find the courage to show themselves without shame or embarrassment. 

On Christmas day, over 600 people attended the lunch organized by Caritas.  People were treated with dignity, respect and love.  There are no second class citizens.  Everyone has a right to live in keeping with community and charity because that it what makes us human and gives us the confidence to believe in truth and justice for all.

The time for posturing and fooling people is over and the anger being felt is real.  Maltese people may be on the side of their pocket but they do not like to be taken for a fool or for a ride.  Once broken, trust must be restored.  Empty words will not convince anymore, especially when change is only superficial.  The change that people are after now is a radical one and is partly internal and partly external.

Internal change is the intolerance to being treated as anything less than honest citizens with rights and the ability to discern between wrong and right.  External is the change we need in our leadership and accountability towards being respected European Union members and part of the international community.

If not from the principles, then from the economic reality that is becoming evident, where our reputation is the corner stone and that stone has been moved, a shift in support can change the shameful state of affairs. 

Whomever, in power and not, who continues to promote the idea of freedom and democracy but only stays to ensure electoral victory at the expense of both, has lost every respect of the people and will find it very hard to earn it back, if ever at all.

There is no room for tolerance of impropriety if the right change is to happen, the truth is to be revealed and trust is to be restored.