Music helps Amy Zahra, 11, connect with the world of her school friend Jessica Bezzina who has problems communicating because she suffers from a rare developmental disorder.
"Sometimes I sing to her in class because that calms her down and the music helps me enter her world," Amy said after receiving the Pope John XXIII Award for Kindness yesterday.
Amy and Jessica are both students at the Santa Monica Primary School in Birkirkara and, for the past four years, Amy has been a shoulder to lean on for Jessica, 12.
Jessica suffers from Cornelia de Lange syndrome, a developmental disorder affecting one in every 10,000 births. The disorder only allows her to communicate through gestures and loud noises. But Amy manages to understand her friend. Every morning she waits for Jessica at the school entrance and accompanies her to class where other students and teachers also help out.
"I manage to get through to her by making signs, playing and through music," Amy explained as she held Jessica's hand at the President's Palace in Valletta where the award-giving ceremony was held.
She admitted that, before Monday, she had never heard of the award and was very surprised when she was informed she had won it. "I did not help her for the reward but it's nice to get some credit," Amy said with a smile.
"Amy has been a blessing," Jessica's mother, Mariella, said adding: "We're very lucky to have found a girl like her who manages to get through to Jessica. She's not easy to handle but, somehow, Amy manages and Jessica really loves her."
Amy's father, Alfio, is also amazed at how his daughter managed to bond so easily with Jessica. He recalled how, a few years ago, when Jessica joined the school, Amy would go home and talk about her new friend. "She wanted to bring her home but we could not because there were logistical problems; Jessica is not easy to handle," Mr Zahra said. He added that Amy, the second-born of his four children, had a passion for music. She plays the piano and the guitar and this love for music helped the two girls bond.
The award - organised by the Peace Lab every year to commemorate the anniversary of the death of Pope John XXIII - was presented to Amy by President George Abela. After kissing Amy on the head he said adults had a lot to learn from the genuineness and sincerity of young children.
"These young children have not studied law or politics, yet they know such values. From where do they learn them? It must be from their family. That is why the family remains one of the most important values in our country," he said.