Veronika Thoikowa, 19 years of age, and Jozef Klacko, 18, both from Ruzomberok (Slovakia), are two of the many Slovak youths who arrived in Cologne as voluntary workers. "The desire to grow in faith and bring the fruit of the World Youth Day to their contemporaries who stayed at home" are among the reasons which pushed them to come here. "The life of young people from western Europe remarked Klacko appears to be more consumer orientated ; there is greater relativism. To us young people from the East, past difficulties have taught us to mature a lived faith in greater depth. The Slovak voluntary workers are happy to be in Cologne, in spite of the fear of terrorist attacks before leaving". "Once we arrived here said Thoikowa we brightened up: we saw smiling faces and met welcoming people. Regardless, we are praying for everything to go well during these days". Maik Winter is 26 years old and comes from a small town a few kilometres from Cologne. He will not be going to work in the bank for thirteen days, but will be among the voluntary workers "ready to give a hand". He believes, "The WYD is a great opportunity to bring young Catholic Germans closer to the life of the Church". (continues)
