A young boy drags his donkey along the winding roads, dogs chase each other, two white horses graze in a field and a farmer's son hoes his vegetables. Veiled women spin cotton and a hooded woman displays her painstaking lace-making skills. This was the atmosphere in 'Bethlehem f' Ghajnsielem' as thousands of Maltese and Gozitan families continued to visit the Nativity Village during the second weekend since its inauguration.

This unique atmosphere was recreated on Tuesday, this time during an activity organised for the students attending schools within the Gozo College and church schools in Gozo. The children were accompanied by their teachers and some parents. The nativity village was animated by the Year Six students from the Għajnsielem Primary School.

The Minister for Gozo, the Hon. Giovanna Debono together with Mrs Kate Gonzi, visited the village during this activity accompanied by Għajnsielem Mayor Mr Francis Cauchi and representatives from the education sector in Gozo including Chev frank Gatt, Gozo College principal as well as Ms Carol Debono from the Association of School Councils within the Directorate for Educational Services.

The atmosphere was complimented by the children’s reaction together with the presence of disabled persons, and groups of elderly persons residing at Residenza Sant’Anna and the male geriatric ward within the Gozo General Hospital. These, together with the students gathered near the grotto where they met with the Minister and Mrs Gonzi.