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Brave 15-Year-Old Maltese Boy With Troubled Past Shares Life Story With Prince Charles And Heads Of State

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Roland might look like just another Maltese teenager to the random passer-by, but the 15-year-old has had to deal with a slew of issues while growing up. Last month, however, he bravely took to the podium at the most senior royal palace in London, and with the Prince of Wales and a crowd of Heads of State from all around the Commonwealth standing in front of him, he told the guests his story.

Like so many other kids before him, Roland’s life got turned upside down when his parents separated. It was at this point that he had started hanging out with a different crowd, leading him to a frustrating path of fights and bullying. Although no doubt tough to talk about from the point of view of a 15-year-old (never mind all the distinguished guests around), Roland went into detail in his speech, explaining what happened, and how he managed to turn over a new leaf. 

Years down the path, Roland was referred to the Boys’ Learning Support Centre in Ħamrun. It was at this point that his life took on a whole new path.

Here, Roland got to know about the Prince’s Trust International Achieve, an international personal development programme designed to support secondary-school children to engage and succeed in education. Months later, having worked harder on his education and his behaviour, the young Maltese boy was flying off to London to meet Prince Charles at the St. James Palace.

Tens of thousands of international success stories later, Roland was the only Maltese representative at this year’s meet-up, which went down last month in the British royal palace. 

Due to some last-minute change of plans, he also ended up being the only person to take to the podium and address all the congregated Heads of State and Heads of Government. You’d think it would be enough to intimidate any human being, but that’s because you’ve never met Roland before.

He ran the crowd through some of the darkest moments of his life, and the hopeful plans he has for the future. He even told the gathering that he’d like to start writing and producing rap songs with a positive message. By the end, everyone was in love with young Roland.

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Here’s Roland’s full speech:

Good afternoon. My name is Roland, I am 15 and I live in Malta. 

I would like to start by taking you back to when my life was just as it should be. I used to enjoy my days at primary school and the time spent with all my friends. The teachers at school loved me and I felt protected. School was just like my second home. However, things started to change when my parents separated. I made friends with a particular group of boys and started getting into small fights.

When I moved to secondary school, most of the students were all different and new to me. This, together with the difficult situation which persisted at home (my mother was also suffering from severe depression), filled me with unexplained anger and frustration. The other students seemed to realise that I was going through a tough time, but instead of offering a helping hand, I started being bullied and started getting into even bigger fights. I became a bully myself, and challenging people to fights became the usual everyday routine for me.

I started not focusing at school, not attending lessons, not doing any work and being disruptive. Teachers offered help, but I did not want to accept any help. I felt no one understood me and the deep anger and frustration deep within me. I became addicted to technology and was awake night after night. I would sleep all afternoons, causing endless big fights with my brother and my mother. If I had no mobile or my mobile was not charged, I got really angry and I would lose control…

It was at this point that I was referred to a learning centre. At the same time, I was also partially distanced from my house until my mum would be better and I could work on my behaviour. At the learning centre, I was introduced to the Prince’s Trust International Achieve, a programme which suited me perfectly. I started to work more seriously on my issues to help transform my life and I was given support on how to manage my feeling and emotions. 

I am participating in a community project which is teaching me how even I can help others and make a difference. I am learning how to work in a team, and how to listen to and appreciate other’s ideas.

Today, I can confidently say I am a totally different person… although it is still hard. My relationship with my mother and brother is much better now.

Thanks to Achieve, I have learnt to control my anger issues and to think twice before reacting to a simple comment. I have learnt to thanks those who once bullied me, because thanks to them, I am now the stronger boy I am today, and I am learning what is right and what is wrong.

My teachers tell me I am a role model to all, and that I have a positive effect on my friends, which makes me proud. I hope I pass my Achieve qualification and can continue my post secondary education to achieve more. I dream of being an example to others, of composing rap songs with positive messages for all those going through difficult times just like me.

There is no doubt that without Achieve, I would not be where I am today. I have taken control of my life and look forward to what the future will bring.

Share this post if you admire how Roland managed to turn his life around

READ NEXT: WATCH: Maltese Teenager Trolls Entire School In The Best Video You’ll See All Week

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Lovin Malta's Head of Content, Dave has been in journalism for the better half of the last decade. Prefers Instagram, but has been known to doomscroll on TikTok. Loves chicken, women's clothes and Kanye West (most of the time).

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