I was woken up this morning by a man delivering a very large Christmas hamper. The people who sent the hamper are generous way beyond the twenty three items I later counted in the wicker basket.
This island has a long tradition of giving, at this time of the year. It extends beyond the Christian legacy, the marathon telethons and visits to orphanages. Christmas in these parts is also about stopping, for a second, to take stock of what we have. To reach out to people, count our blessings. And then move on.
Malta Inside Out continues to be our way of reaching out. When we started, in early 2009, we were writing to an imaginary reader. Slowly, and with the help of people interested in sharing ideas, photos, opinions, tips or plain anecdotes, this project has morphed into an online community of Malta insiders. The social glue between the people who write, contribute, read, comment and ‘like’ a post, and who may never meet each other in real life – is that this space is about people who care about the island. Whether they are compelled to sing its praises, or use a post as a soapbox to highlight the need for change.
We have grown quietly without any investment in advertising, lobbying or ownership of a printing press.
Hopefully, in 2011, we will find new ways of engagement – and really turn Malta Inside Out into a community of practice.
Have a great Christmas.