Amy Zahra, 11, awarded for kindness
Eleven-year-old Amy Zahra has been awarded the Pope John XXIII Kindness award for helping out her friend and classmate Jessica Bezzina who suffers from a rare developmental disorder.
Amy and Jessica are both students at the Sta Monica Primary School in Birkirkara and, for the past four years, Amy has been helping Jessica who has problems communicating.
Jessica suffers from Cornelia de Lange Syndrome and can only communicate through gestures and loud noises. But Amy manages to understand her friend and calm her down.
Every morning Amy waits for Jessica at the school doors and accompanies her to class where other students also give a helping hand.
“I’m very happy that the help I have been giving to Jessica had been rewarded. I did not help her for the reward but its nice to get some credit,” Amy said with a smile.
She added that, before Monday, she had never heard about this award and was very surprised when she was informed she had been chosen.
The award was given to her by President George Abela and is given every year, by the Peace Lab, to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Pope John XXII.
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Joe Cassar
Jun 26th 2009, 17:45
A very big "well done" To Ms Zahra. A fine example we should all follow. No so well done to the writer of the headline. It should be "Amy Zahra, 11, rewarded for kindness" or else "Amy Zahra, 11, awarded a prize for kindness".
Maria Barbara
Jun 26th 2009, 15:47
Well done Amy, thank you for the kindness you are putting in your life. Keep it kind, keep it simple and smart.
IAN C ELLUL
Jun 26th 2009, 13:31
Well done to Amy ... in many ways, kindness is the key to happiness.
J Farrugia
Jun 26th 2009, 13:21
And this Amy Zahra reminds me of another Amy Zahra who also had to fight for her life but her will to live was far greater than her pain. A beautiful girl who almost lost her life to meningitis, and lost her limbs in the process. But the fighter in her saw that she continues to live life as much as possible. And when you think that out there in the streets there are youths who want to destroy their own lives with drugs etc., youths like these two Amys help you to continue to believe in virtues such as kindness and altruism. May God bless them.
J Farrugia
Jun 26th 2009, 13:13
While my congratulations to this girl for her kindness are in order, I would like to suggest to the Peace Lab to honour also those on the receiving end. The two of them. They both deserve our admiration in a world filled with egoism. May God reward Amy for her sacrifices. And may the Good Lord keep his hands on Jessica. Both of you are two beautiful flowers in HIS garden.
fbonello
Jun 26th 2009, 13:13
Well done Amy !! May God bless you !!!!!
laurence schembri
Jun 26th 2009, 13:08
Is there a lesson to be learned here? Good work Amy.
Joss Galea
Jun 26th 2009, 12:45
HOW SWEET!!! It's nice to read about these things. It's good to be reminded sometimes that the world is not all bad and very good people live in it too! A very big congratulations to Amy..well deserved price!!