Sternsinger 2026: School instead of factory for disadvantaged children!

Sternsinger 2026: School instead of factory for disadvantaged children!

On January 1, 2026, 20 star singers were sent out in the parish church of Hahnbach, an action under the motto “School instead of factory”. This initiative aims to enable children in developing and emerging countries to receive an education. Because of poverty, many children have to work, often under unhealthy and exploitative conditions. The altar boys, who were equipped by sacristan Rosmarie Rauch and older colleagues, show a strong commitment to the rights of children.

Pastor Michale Birner used the New Year's service to honor the efforts of the star singers. One of the groups presented blessings from the parish and received great recognition. Birner thanked the accompanying persons and asked for a friendly reception for the kings and star bearers. He wishes the community “God’s blessings for the year 2026”.

Aim of the star singer campaign

The Star Singer Campaign 2026 focuses on Bangladesh, where an estimated 1.8 million children and young people work, 1.1 million of whom live in extremely poor conditions. Sternsinger's partner organizations are actively committed to freeing these children from exploitative working conditions. The Abdur Rashid Khan Thakur Foundation (ARKTF), for example, works in the Jessore region to provide children with access to education and training. Caritas Bangladesh trains children from poverty-stricken and disadvantaged indigenous population groups in the north of the country and sensitizes their parents about the right to education.

Global challenges in access to education

According to BMZ, access to education is particularly difficult for disadvantaged population groups, which include girls, people in poverty and ethnic minorities. Many girls are prevented from attending school due to traditional roles and early marriages. These challenges are even greater if the family lives in poverty, which further reduces educational opportunities. Children with disabilities also often have no access to schools and face additional hurdles.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the educational situation: in April 2020, around 1.6 billion pupils and students worldwide were affected by school closures. Meanwhile, only 25% of low- and middle-income countries have invested in digital learning, compared to 96% of advanced countries. This resulted in more than 463 million children not having access to online learning, which particularly disadvantaged girls. Crises and conflicts continue to prevent many children from attending school, increasing the risk of “lost generations”.

The star singer campaign offers a valuable platform to draw attention to these grievances and to actively advocate for the rights and educational opportunities of children. It helps to raise public awareness and support for these important issues.