Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Aachen (Agenzia Fides) – For the 52nd time, in the days before and after the Epiphany, the "Star Singers" (Sternsinger) of the German Holy Childhood Association have taken to the streets of Germany with their carols. "Kids find new ways" is the motto of the campaign this year, which will once again be celebrated in German dioceses by around half a million German girls and boys who go from door to door dressed up as the Magi, carrying a star with them. The focus country for this year's collection, which has German children working for their peers who are suffering, is Senegal.
With the motto "Utub yoon bu bees - Kids find new ways," the 2010 campaign wants to remember that above all the children of so-called developing countries must find new ways for its development, to build their own future and to take responsibility for their lives. In many parts of the world, thanks to the efforts of the Star Singers, children have the opportunity to find a way for their education and training. But even in Senegal, the benefit country for the campaign in 2010, children must go a long way to get from the countryside to the city where they attend school. Together with local partners, the Pontifical Holy Childhood Association in Germany is also committed to ensuring that children of West African countries have access to new forms of communication such as Internet and e-mail. To prepare the ground for the campaign and support the initiative, from 15 September 2009 until January 17, 2010 a typical multicolored minibus-taxi from Senegal is traveling around Germany. Stopping in the streets and squares of many German cities, Missio staff were able to offer information on the lives of children in Senegal.
The collection taken up by the “Star Singers” of Germany has become the largest initiative of solidarity worldwide, which sees children working for their peers in need. (MS) (Agenzia Fides 4/01/2010)
