We are writing to thank Mgr Philip Calleja and the Malta Emigrants’ Commission on behalf of all 20 family members, friends and colleagues – residing in Asmara, Malta and other parts of the world – of Ashih Tekleab Haile, the Eritrean refugee who lost his life rescuing another man from drowning in July.

We are very thankful for the role and contribution the Emigrants’ Commission has been making and grateful for all the moral assistance and the resources it has been providing to us.

The Emigrants’ Commission has been the leading institution in liaising Ashih’s case with all sectors concerned. Facilitating the sending of his remains to his home country and coordinating all the legal and financial issues are a few of the various tasks that the office has been carrying out on behalf of the family members.

This is a very big gift to Ashih and his family and, therefore, the office, with all its staff members, deserves special thanks.

We have nothing to pay the institution and its staff back for all their good deeds except to thank them from the bottom of our heart.

We would love to establish a lifelong friendship with the institution and its staff members so as to remember what the office has done for us.

Ashih gave his life bravely for others to live and, therefore, it serves an excellent lesson to every citizen of this world. He is a hero and may his soul rest in peace!