Editorial

L-Istrina without the lure of prizes has materialised into a tangible confirmation, if there ever was need for one, that the values of generosity, charity and solidarity are still deeply rooted in our people's hearts and still form part of the national identity.

The resounding success achieved shows that President George Abela's belief, shared by so many, that people will view L-Istrina without prizes as an opportunity to live beautiful moments of giving without expecting anything in return, was based on a correct evaluation of the values cherished by society.

The President has every reason to feel satisfied and be proud of our people for proving that they did not have what he termed as a "recession of values".

It is indeed magnificent to see so many people responding so positively to the Christmas message which urges, in so many ways, the practice of charity; to freely embrace an act of self-denial for the sake of others; to grow in the spirit of the Good Samaritan, who bends low and goes to the help of a suffering brother, by giving without expecting to get anything back.

The President and Mrs Abela deserve to be commended, as should all those who, directly or indirectly, joined forces with them to drive the message home and encourage people to re-discover how much more beautiful and edifying it is to be charitable without hoping to get some kind of reward, all the personalities and other volunteers who helped ensure a successful event, as well as those, from all sectors of life, who contributed to the magnificent sum of €2,329,792 collected to help the Community Chest Fund continue with its sterling work.

L-Istrina was without doubt the biggest demonstration these days of the people's generosity. But it was not the only one. There was, among others, RTK's annual campaign in favour of families in need and the annual Thomas Smith Charity Swim.

There were also two news items that must have touched the heart of many people. One was the news that colleagues of a man recovering in hospital offered him 100 days extra leave as he had already used all his vacation and sick leave but still needed more time for convalescing following a serious operation. The other was the announcement that prisoners were offering to share an additional two years in jail between them so that a sick inmate with terminal cancer could be given a pardon.

All this shows how true it is that solidarity is not a feeling of vague compassion or shallow distress at the misfortunes of other people, both near and far. On the contrary, it is a firm and persevering determination to commit ourselves to the good of all and of each individual because we are all responsible for one another. In fact, the value of solidarity teaches us respect for every human person, to look beyond ourselves in order to understand and support the good of others, to support structures that ensure social solidarity.

One feels confident that our people will continue to show their commitment in this regard during the upcoming fund-raising campaign in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza to enable it to meet its ever-increasing daily running costs.

Such a commitment should also help encourage as an expression of generous solidarity, the very noble acts of blood donation and organ donations after death.

All such investment in the true spirit of solidarity is indeed to the credit of our society.