Children raise environmental concerns

When Chryseida May Grillo sees plastic bags in the sea while swimming, she picks them up and throws them in a bin, the 11-year-old girl who attends Our Lady Immaculate School in Hamrun said in a letter to Resources Minister George Pullicino.

Ms Grillo is one of a number of children hailing from 20 schools who yesterday raised their concerns about the environment with Mr Pullicino.

The chidlren were taking part in an event organised at the Mosta Community Hall by BirdLife Malta and Bank of Valletta as part of Dinja Wahda, an educational programme featuring activities being voluntarily implemented by primary schools.

As one of the programme's activities children prepared letters to Mr Pullicino over the past months. This morning they met him in person.

“The children were enthusiastic and clearly excited about having Minister Pullicino listen and respond to their concerns in person.” said Nicolette Falzon, Dinja Wahda schools coordinator.

“We want to empower the children by showing them that their concerns matter and that they too can make a difference.”

A letter by Milena Borg, who attends the Birkikara Primary, was chosen as the best letter by a panel of judges. In her letter Miss Borg wrote:

“We are very careful not to waste electricity and water. We now switch on the water heater only an hour before we use it. We use energy-saving bulbs and we do not leave electrical appliances on if we are not using them.”

Minister Pullicino replied by agreeing with a sentiment she expressed and quoting from her letter: "If everyone does these little simple things our country will be a better place to live in and everyone will be happier and healthier.”