“Responsible management of the funds collected”: that’s the motivation with which the German Institute for Social Issues recently awarded its own annual prize to the “Sternensinger” (Star Singers) Association of Missionary Childhood. The Association has given proof of “wise and responsible” management of its funds that has enabled the “Sternensinger” charity, in which children dedicate themselves to collecting funds for their fellow-children in need, to give rise to one of the greatest displays of solidarity ever held anywhere in the world. Since 1959 over 310 million euros have been collected. The money has been used to fund projects in support of children in all continents. With a collection of roughly 34.3 million euros, a rise over the previous year, a new record of donations was set in 2004. The funds enable the Association to promote each year projects for evangelization, education, healthcare, nutrition, water management, social reintegration and emergency aid. In the days that precede and follow the feast of Epiphany, throughout Germany, the children of the “Sternensinger”, the children of German Missionary Childhood, go from house to house, dressed up as the Three Kings, and sing Christmas hymns. Roughly half a million children in the 12,500 Catholic parishes of Germany brought the traditional blessing “C+M+B” ( Christus mansionem benedicat May Christ bless this home) to families and collected donations for their suffering fellow-children throughout the world.
