"Germany is lecker!"What the youth from South Africa brought and what the Australians wanted to transport |
WYD –SCHOENSTATT, eka, If 30 young South Africans and four Australians are in the sphere of Schoenstatt, there could be a lot of noise. There is laughter, chattering, and turmoil. But all it takes is for Sister Marion to raise her hand with the thumb and index finger together and the little finger raised ,and at once you can not even hear a fly. "This hand signal means: I love you – but now shut up! Sister Mario explains smiling. Her method worked. The youngest oneOnly one of the participants never listened: the small Natia. She is only 4 years old, and the youngest one of the South African delegation and supposedly the "Benjamin" in the international festival for the youth, in Schoenstatt. "During the whole trip she behaved very well, explained her mother, "in spite of the 15 hour trip". Natia proudly informs us: "I saw the "ice princess" on the plane. "Kuten Tach!"For many South Africans, it is the first time that they go out of their country. Roxeanne (15 years old) from Cape Town,is enthused: "Germany is lecker! Germany is the best. It is so clean. And I see a lot of old people driving bicycles. I like that. "The South Africans are just getting to know German: They already say "thank you" and "Kuten Tach!" instead of Guten Tag, good day! They can also ask the question "Gan Ic bitte Saft haben" Please, may I have some juice?" To see the PopeMthunzi (17 years old), also from Cape Town, knows why she is here: "I came to the World Youth Day program to celebrate and to see our new pope." She briefly interrupts herself: "What is his name again? I forgot his name" and she laughs. "I want to see him, because I want to say thank you to him – I appreciate what he does a lot, and I want to say thank you for all of it. I know that we are not going to get really close to him, but I want to see him: this is our new pope." It is not only important for Mthunzi to see the Pope: "I am really looking forward to seeing the new pope", says Monique (22 years old), from Cape Town. Roxeanne is also happy for the exchange that she will be able to have with other young Catholics, about her faith: "There are many Christians in all the world, and now we will be together." Rebecca (19 years old) from Sydney (Australia) feels the same way: "I am looking forward to meeting thousands of other kids who have the same faith as me and the same love for Schoenstatt. We are one international family." Jonanthan (18 years old), Rebecca’s brother, would gladly like to bring some Australian culture to the festival: "I want to show the other countries in confidence how we respond to Christ’s love and to share this love with other people." Australian culture, he says, are "koalas and kangaroos", but: "We had a bit of trouble at the Australian airport. We were delayed a couple of hours because of that. So we changed our plans. But we would have brought one", he said winking an eye. Rosary and CandleMthunzi wants to take the festival to many new friend of the whole world, and "perhaps I can get one of the special rosaries or candles, to take to my friends in Cape Town." The youth also want to take many experiences and feelings home. "I learned a lot of things during the last few days, especially about the Sisters. They are really amazing", says Jaquie (15 years old) from Cape Town. Some cannot wait to return home. Roxeanne: "I can’t wait to get home to tell everybody about this experience." |
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15.08.2005
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