The Salesian Pastoral Youth Service won the Youth of the Year Award for 2011 organised by the Kerŷgma Movement.

SPYS was set up in 1995 in the spirit of St. John Bosco and is made up of a number of experienced religious and lay youth leaders with the two-fold aim of person building and community building. They perform this voluntary work on a national and international basis.

SPYS is made up of two sections - one responsible for local activities, the other covers initiatives in other countries. The local section organises seminars and training courses for members and representatives of its member organisations.

They also organise summer camps for children coming from needy areas. This section also organises fund-raising activities to finance its activities, especially the visits to other countries by volunteers.

They also coordinate activities such as get-togethers and retreats for other young people.

The other section, SPYS.int, carries out projects for youngsters and children in Malta and abroad.

It does voluntary work in countries such as Ghana, India and Kenya where each year members and others volunteer to help poor communities.

The award was announced by Kerŷgma director general Fr Charles Fenech OP and the trophy was presented by President George Abela at the end of mass at St Dominic's Church in Rabat.

This trophy is awarded annually in memory of the late Rudolph Saliba, the movement's first president.