At the end of March our Maltese partner, The Salesian Pastoral Youth Service (SPYS), organized a multilateral youth exchange and training course for 36 participants from nine different countries. It was called Across The Lines – Empowering Young People to Take Charge and it took place at Savio College in Dingli.

The week was supported by funds from the YOUTH Programme of the European Union and Salesian youths from Malta, Spain, Great Britain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Slovenia and Slovakia took part.

The seven-day exchange, which kicked off on Sunday 27th March, had a theme for each day, namely: Creativity Day, Teamwork Day, Survival Day, Leadership Day, Voluntary Work Day and Culture Day. Each day was characterised by very original and innovative workshops, games, activities and discussions, only a dynamic group like SPYS can come up with.

The participants had to endure various challenges. From being awaken at 6am to have breakfast in Buskett, to building rafts and cars and trying them out, to sporty competitions, thinking laterally and late sleeping and singing all kinds of tunes pleasant to the ears, this exchange has proven to be a memorable experience unexplainable in words.

The week ended on Saturday with an intercultural evening and a live performance by the relatively new local band Bus Stop.

Both the SPYS team and the 36 participants definitely and proudly managed to cross the lines, crossing all borders in Malta, leaving not only a good impression of the Maltese Islands but also motivating all participants to continue spreading their good work in their respective communities and elsewhere.