Zejtun boy wins John XXIII Prize for Kindness

Shaun Cassar, a 13-year-old boy from Zejtun who attends St Paul Missionary College, Rabat, has been chosen by the Peace Lab as this year's winner of the Pope John XXIII Prize for Kindness.

Shaun won the award for the way he looks after Matthew, a classmate with special needs. Matthew suffers from cerebral palsy and moves with the help of a K-walker, which he pulls with both hands. This means that he cannot carry books or other objects.

Shaun always volunteers to help Matthew in any way he can, keeping him company and giving him his constant attention, even at the cost of giving up his own leisure time.

During fretwork lessons, for example, Shaun helps Matthew cut out the small holes because he finds it too difficult. This work is carried out under the constant supervision of Mrs Monica Abdilla, Matthew's facilitator.

Whenever the boys in the class are assigned some project to carry out in groups, Shaun always offers to go to Matthew's home in Rabat to work on the project together. The friendship between the two boys is such that they have become inseparable. Shaun never complains, even though Matthew can be difficult sometimes, because of his condition.

Shaun's dedication to Matthew has been confirmed by Mrs Abdilla and other facilitators and teachers including Mrs A. Costa (Maths), Mrs C. Azzopardi (Religion and Drama), Mr J. Cardona (Religion) and the assistant head, Alfred Galea Urpani.

Shaun will be presented with the award by President Eddie Fenech Adami in a ceremony at the Palace, Valletta, on Wednesday at 11 a.m.