"To dignity. Ready. Go!" is the motto of Misereor's upcoming Lent campaign. Under this motto, the Catholic aid organisation for development cooperation is inviting people to work together with Misereor project partners to uphold human dignity and make life more bearable for marginalised and disadvantaged people living near tea plantations in Sri Lanka. The Lent campaign, which asks for donations for Misereor's work between Ash Wednesday and Easter, also serves as an opportunity for self-reflection: What sustains me? How can I use Lent for personal conversion and commitment? What can we share?
With its Lent 2025 campaign, Misereor is focussing on the difficult situation of highland Tamils in Sri Lanka. They are an ethnic group made up of the descendants of labourers who were brought to Sri Lanka from India in the 19th and 20th centuries as part of British colonial rule, initially to harvest coffee and later tea. Many live in small, cramped dwellings on the plantations. The pay as tea pickers is poor, the working conditions are harsh and there are no opportunities to lead a self-determined life. There is also a lack of political participation, access to state social benefits is very difficult, and clean drinking water, healthcare and sanitary facilities are lacking in many places.
More rights and an additional income
One of Misereor's partner organisations wants to change all this. The employees of Caritas Sri Lanka SEDEC inform highland Tamils about their rights and encourage them to demand their fulfilment. The project, which is supported by Misereor, also aims to encourage people to earn an additional income ¬ for example as seamstresses, weavers or small shop owners. Children and young people are also supported on their path to a self-determined future - including through theatre, music and art.
Setting an example
"Dignity has many faces," emphasises Andreas Frick, Managing Director of Misereor since July 2024. "For example, access to healthy, clean water underlines people's dignity. All forms of oppression, on the other hand, violate a life in dignity. Undignified and exploitative supply chains undermine sustainable economic activity. The inviolability of human dignity, respect and benevolent cohesion are the foundation for living together in peace and justice. And so I invite all interested parties to join our partner in Sri Lanka and Misereor during the coming Lent and set an example for the inalienability of human dignity."
Not only in Sri Lanka, but also here in Germany, human dignity is always threatened where people are marginalised because they belong to a group, said the Misereor boss. In Germany, this can be seen in racist, anti-Semitic and Islamophobic statements and actions, among other things. "It is essential for us Christians to stand up for humanity, human dignity and the observance of human rights, and thus to repeatedly make visible signs against all forms of discrimination," says Frick.
Imaginative fundraising campaigns
The Lent 2025 campaign will be launched on Sunday, 9 March, in Essen as part of a festive church service. The service will be broadcast live on ARD television. During Lent, Misereor, which works with partner organisations in 84 countries in Africa and the Middle East, Asia and Oceania, Latin America and the Caribbean, will provide information about its project work and ask for donations. The fasting campaign is brought to life by groups in parishes, schools and organisations as well as through educational, lobbying and advocacy work and imaginative fundraising campaigns. Partners from Sri Lanka will be guests and provide information about their activities in favour of the highland Tamils throughout Germany. On 6 April, the 5th Sunday of Lent, donations will then be collected in all Catholic parishes in Germany for the work of Misereor.
Children's Lent campaign for people aged five to twelve
Next year, the children's Lent campaign will once again take place alongside the Misereor Lent campaign. Rucky Reiselustig reports on the work of Caritas Sri Lanka for human dignity and justice. Numerous materials invite parishes, schools and groups of children aged five to twelve to join in.
