Kindness doesn’t go unnoticed and in 13-year-old Kaya Falzon’s case, it sure wasn’t. The schoolgirl was given the John XXII Award for Kindness for her unwavering support to Anthea Camilleri, a fellow student of the same age in the second year of secondary school at Our Lady Immaculate of Hamrun.

The award

Every year, the John XXIII Award for Kindness pays tribute to a person who, despite being of a young age, already has a big heart and behaves in an exemplary manner. Addressing the annual award ceremony, the President remarked that, in today’s fast-paced world and with the greater sense of individualism that has entered our social fabric, it has become more difficult to find people who choose to be different and to fully embrace the principles of empathy and altruism.

He also shared that while it is a noble gesture for a person to support others, when this support is spread over several months or years, it becomes a strong commitment in favour of full inclusion and, over time, it translates into greater wealth for society as a whole.

After presenting her with the medal, the President congratulated Kaya Falzon and said that, through her great sense of altruism and humility, she is serving as a bridge between the challenges associated with schoolwork and Anthea’s abilities so that she can also be fully involved in the school life and enjoy the fruits of learning. He said that “Kaya’s help, not only to Anthea but also to other children who find it difficult to keep up with school commitments, is a simple gesture but one that requires dedication, patience, and love towards others. Above all, the person must be willing to reduce her free time and dedicate it to the benefit of others.”