Warm messages for Burkina Faso: Solidarity campaign by Missio Aachen

Warm messages for Burkina Faso: Solidarity campaign by Missio Aachen

The Catholic aid organization Missio Aachen has an ambitious goal: by the end of 2025 you would like to collect a total of 3,000 solidarity messages for the heavily battered Burkina Faso. At a time when the country is fighting with serious challenges, the campaign was launched under the motto "Together with heart". Pastor Dirk Bingener, the President of Missio Aachen, appeals to the people in Germany to participate and to send the people concerned in Burkina Faso a sign of solidarity and hope.

Burkina Faso, a country in the Sahel, has been exposed to a growing threat from militant Islamist groups for several years. These fighters have gained influence both in the north and in the east of the country, which leads to a worrying increase in violence and terror. The population suffers from massive human rights violations, sexual violence and constant fear of displacement. In the middle of these fatal circumstances, the country has suffered from the rule of a military junta since 2021 that came to power after two coups.

Solidarity show

In a calling message, Pastor Bingener emphasizes that every little gesture of solidarity, be it a name on a heart symbol or a personal wish, for which local people are of great importance. "People need our support in this difficult time," continued the pastor. The call is particularly aimed at the suffering Christians in Burkina Faso, who are under extreme pressure. Attacks on churches and the kidnapping or killing of clergy have become sad reality.

The campaign not only wants to reach the hearts of people in Germany, but also to raise awareness of the serious challenges in front of which the Burkinian citizens are facing. "It is so important for us to be able to feel this cohesion between people in Germany and us in our hearts," says Sister Thérèse Millogo, a Missio project partner that helps on site. She hopes that interest and support from Germany will have a positive impact on the situation in the country.

The collected messages are combined in a “book of heart” that will travel through various Missio projects in Burkina Faso after completing the campaign. In this way, the dialogue and the connection between people in Germany and Burkina Faso should be further strengthened.

In addition, Missio Aachen and his partners also take other measures in hand to raise awareness of the situation in Burkina Faso. This includes educational events, political lobbying and reports on the situation of religious freedom in the country. These initiatives are intended to help gain broader support for the people affected by violence.

in a world in which suffering is often overlooked, this solidarity campaign sets a strong sign of humanity and cohesion. It reminds us that we can stand together for a better world, even if the circumstances are challenging.