Two 13-year-olds share Prize for Kindness

Two 13-year-olds - Bernice Graham of Rabat and Antoine Frendo of St Venera - have been named winners of this year's Pope John XXIII Prize for Kindness organised by the Peace Lab, Hal Far.

Bernice, a hard-working student at Canon Pullicino Secondary School in Rabat, was nominated for dedicating her free time to caring for her neighbour James Baldacchino, 24, who was left seriously disabled afer a traffic accident almost three years ago.

James, a former hotel catering employee, was a keen deep sea fisherman. One evening in October 1999, as he was walking in Msida, he was run over by a car. He was admitted to hospital where he was on the danger list. James had suffered serious brain injury and irreparable bone damage. After some time in intensive care, he spent 14 months in the general dependency unit.

Now at home, he is unable to walk, talk and has lost the use of his arms. James however does sometimes understand and somehow communicates with people closest to him, especially Bernice, who spends long hours with him every day after school and at weekends.

After school she does the shopping for James' mother, who is unable to leave the house to care for him. Then Bernice patiently and carefully feeds him. She often borrows videos about the sea for James to watch. At weekends, she accompanies James when he is taken outside in his wheelchair.

Bernice is described as an examplary student and is well loved by teachers and students. Besides her intelligence and being one of the best in class, she loves to help her class mates.

Antoine Frendo is a student at Furtu Selvatico Secondary School in Naxxar. Already an uncle of three, Antoine is a lively student who works hard both at school and on his father's farm. He plays the euphonium in the school band and the St Venera Band, and is also a member of the Klabb tat-Tisjir u l-Fjuri.

Antoine and his friend Matthew Pace were bullied at school by a classmate. But the trauma never influenced Antoine badly - instead he helped the bully in class.

Matthew needs a great deal of help - Antoine helps him during all lessons and they are together from the minute they board the school bus until they return home. During breaks on schooldays, they meet in the Human Ecology room where Antoine patiently teaches Matthew to read (especially in Maltese) and write.

Antoine is lively and very outgoing. His warm character draws teachers and students alike to him.

Bernice and Antoine will be presented with their awards by President Guido de Marco during a ceremony at the Palace, Valletta, on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

The John XXIII Peace Lab was founded by Fr Dionysius Mintoff, OFM, in 1969.