A plot of disused land at the back of Kalkara primary school has been transformed into a sustainable garden dedicated to one of its dearly loved pupils, 10-year-old Nicole Zahra, who died in a car accident.

The school feels very close to our little saint

“She was an amazing student – diligent, loving, quiet but always there giving a helping hand to everyone,” head of school Miriam Mallia said.

Her words bring tears to the eyes of Nicole’s parents Peter and Pauline who nod silently – the pain of their loss clearly still visible two years after the accident.

Nicole died on July 16, 2010, after being in a coma for almost a fortnight when the life support machines were switched off. She had been fatally injured in a collision between two cars.

Ms Mallia explained that Nicole had been a member of the school’s Ekoskola committee, which in 2008, had come up with the idea of transforming an unused plot of land in the school grounds into a garden.

“She was very active in the project – the children wanted to build a garden with indigenous trees, with benches made up of recycled wood and discarded tyres,” she said. Her father Peter, a soldier, said the garden kept the memory of his daughter alive.

“She loved nature and recycling – Nicole was always thinking of the environment. She was also ready to help – whenever I was doing something she was always there to give me a hand.”

“She was a quiet, happy girl – loving and a good daughter,” his wife Pauline said.

“We never want any parents to go through what we went through. You suffer but never heal,” Mr Zahra said.

His wife nodded quietly and said: “We have a 20-year-old daughter but do you believe that Nicole is the first thing that comes to our minds when we wake up?”

Nicole never got to see the garden, which came together through a joint effort of the entire Kalkara community, but one of her colourful drawings is set on a pedestal – immediately attracting the attention of all those who step in.

The area was cleared by council workers while the olive trees were donated by Kalkara’s St Joseph Band Club and information boards and solar lights were funded by HSBC. The benches were designed by the pupils and made by council workers out of recycled wood and used tyres.