Maria Giuliana Fenech, a Caritas volunteer from Mosta, was recently named Youth of the Year at a ceremony at the Ta' Cenc Hotel.
The event, organised by the OASI Foundation, in collaboration with the Gozo Ministry, the Ministry of Education, Youth and Employment and the National Youth Council, aims to publicly acknowledge the voluntary work carried out by young people. Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono was present.
Eight young people were nominated this year who were presented with a certificate and a commemorative trophy by OASI director-general Fr Emmanuel Cordina and last year's Youth of the Year Jane Mifsud.
The winner of the 14th Youth of the Year title was announced by the representative of the selection committee Edel Cassar. Ms Fenech was presented with the Youth of the Year Shield by President Eddie Fenech Adami, who acknowledged the immeasurable amount of voluntary work carried out by Maltese and Gozitan young people and encouraged them to continue helping others even when faced with difficulties.
Ms Fenech spends much of her free time voluntarily preparing meetings and organising activities for a group called 21+, to which she is very committed.
The Community Chest Fund, the Gozo Ministry's customer care department, Prostage Sound and CVC Communications helped to make the Youth of the Year ceremony possible.