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WATCH: Elderly Maltese-Australian lady sends heartfelt video message to brother in Malta
Can you help us find him?

Caroline Curmi

It’s easy to lose contact with your family when you’re living half way across the world. Such is the case with one elderly Maltese lady living in Mackay Queensland in Australia, whose poignant video message has gone viral overnight.

The woman, Mikelina, who preferred to be called by the abbreviation Kelina as that’s how her brother knows her, is heard saying he’s her last surviving brother. Urged on by Lillian Chetcuti Riolo, the woman behind the supremely popular Facebook page Maltese people in Malta all by Lillian Chetcuti Riolo, Kelina shares some vital information that could help locate her brother: his name is Salvu Buttigieg, born in Lija and now living in Zabbar.

Kelina’s voice breaks as she addresses her brother: “Salvu, this is your sister Kelina. How are you? I’m now very ill and very old, but what can you do? They take good care of me here and I’m really happy. I love you, send my regards to your children and everyone else I know,” she says.

Kelina then turns to Lillian to express her gratitude: “And thank you to this young lady who’s taking this video for me. May God grace you and all your family with his blessings,” she says.

While at the time of writing it was not yet clear whether Kelina had lost full contact with her brother, or whether the siblings hadn’t seen each other physically for a long period of time, it is clear how much she longs to see her brother. Make your voice heard if you know a Salvu whose description matches that given by Kelina!

You can get in touch with Lillian Chetcuti Riolo here!


Caroline Curmi
Written by
Caroline Curmi
When she’s not having a quarter-life crisis, Caroline is either drawing in a café, frittering her salary on sushi or swearing at traffic in full-on Gozitan. There is also the occasional daytime drink somewhere in the equation. Or two. A creative must be allowed at least one vice.

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