Helping others was one of the main themes of President George Vella’s speech on Christmas eve.

“We must put aside the attraction of material achievements and strive more towards the common good. Poverty exists, and in many different forms and degrees. There are those who are struggling themselves or have lost a family member to destructive drug or drinking addictions. Others are consumed by gambling. There are those for whom home means cruelty, beatings, and threats instead of warmth and happiness. There are children and youths broken by bullying, which takes away the serenity of childhood and in turn bring tension, fear, and loneliness. I really appreciate how at this time of the year everyone feels more generous. As if hearts soften. But solidarity and empathy should not be just a hollow December trend, and we forget them as soon as we take down Christmas decorations. We have to get used to showing them all year round,” he said.

Around Christmas and New Year, there is absolutely no doubt that the Maltese people express their generosity through various fund raisers to help those in need. This shows the big hearts the Maltese people have.

What we need to do is find ways to continue helping those in need throughout the year, and not just make it a once a year endeavour.

Supporting fund raising activities like L-Istrina and Dar tal-Providenza are very important, and we must continue to support them year in and year out. But surely we can all do a bit more throughout the year to help others.

There are many people who need help.

First of all there are various shelters around the country that can use our support to help them grow and offer more to those who need them. Some might even need volunteers.

As for those suffering from loneliness or depression, we can offer our friendship, and our ability to listen. If we know people who are struggling financially, we can invite them over for a meal, or help them out in other ways.

As for our children, if you hear reports of your child bullying others, sit them down and talk to them. Explain to them why it is wrong.

If you are a victim of domestic abuse, speak up and contact the authorities. No, the person is not likely to change. If you have a child it makes the situation worse and for both your sakes seek support. You are not alone. We, as a community, must make sure that victims of domestic abuse feel safe and secure in coming forward, and we must make sure that they have all the resources they need to not only come forward, but live a dignified life when doing so.

If there is a friend suffering from some addiction, know that there are support systems in place around the country in the form of various organisations. Guide them towards such organisations and show them just how their actions might not just be affecting themselves, but others around them.

But it’s not just the Maltese who need help. Malta has become a multicultural country, but there are foreign workers who are living in poverty, who are not living in good conditions. Some of them are being taken advantage of by employers. The authorities need to identify which employers are doing so, and take action.

The lack of integration in the country could be partly to blame for this situation, and no, that is not just the fault of foreign workers. Do we make an effort to welcome them? Do we avoid them? If the answer to the former is no and the latter yes…. Well then that’s a part of the problem.

Many of us can do more than we do to help others, and we should.