Isabelle Bonnici Marks Son Jean Paul Sofia’s 23rd Birthday in Heartfelt Tribute

Isabelle Bonnici took to Facebook to mark what would have been her son Jean Paul’s 23rd birthday, a milestone he never reached after tragically losing his life on a construction site.

His death, the result of a site that failed to protect him, has become a rallying point for change in the industry.

In an emotional tribute, Isabelle wrote:

“Today you should be blowing out 23 candles, my son — instead, I light one in your memory. You were killed on a construction site that failed to protect you, and my heart will never heal. I honour your memory with love, pain and promise.

I will fight until my last breath for justice in your name, and for safer sites so no other family endures this eternal pain. Your voice was silenced, but your story will not be.

Your life mattered, your dreams mattered, and your legacy will be the change in a sector which has taken too many lives. Happy heavenly birthday, my precious boy.”

Part of that legacy is Helpline 138, a 24/7 service launched in 2024 for workers and citizens to report abuse or unsafe conditions on construction sites.

The number was chosen to mark Jean Paul’s birthday, 13 August.

Through this initiative, Jean Paul’s story continues to inspire action, drive safety reforms, and push for greater accountability within Malta’s construction sector.

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