PEN PAPER PEACE e.V.

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PEN PAPER PEACE e.V.

PEN PAPER PEACE e.V. aims to raise awareness of social responsibility in young Europeans and provides education for young people living in poverty.

Mit deiner Spende unterstützt du Bildungsgerechtigkeit. IBAN: DE32 4306 0967 1126 1134 00
BIC: GENODEM1GLS
GLS Gemeinschaftsbank

PEN PAPER PEACE ist ein gemeinnütziger Verein, dadurch ist deine Spende steuerlich absetzbar. Falls du eine Spendenquittung benötigst, vermerke bei der Überweisung bitte deine Anschrift im Verwendungszweck. Aus Kostengründen werden alle Spendenquittungen gebündelt zum Jahresanfang versendet.

05/04/2026

Colonial traces - Easter in Honduras

In Honduras, Easter is experienced with great intensity and is widely celebrated. Catholic festivities were introduced and spread across the country during Spanish colonial rule and merged, over the centuries, with the traditions of indigenous peoples, such as the Lenca, giving rise to a religious syncretism.

During Semana Santa (Holy Week), various celebrations take place: white is the dominant color on Holy Thursday (Jueves Santo), while Good Friday (Viernes Santo) is marked by the Santo Entierro procession, which typically winds through the main streets of the capital, Tegucigalpa, and many other cities. On this day, processions wind their way along a route paved with alfombras de aserrín (carpets made of colored sawdust, seeds, and colored materials). Entire streets are transformed into temporary works of art depicting religious scenes. The one held in Comayagua is particularly famous.

For Easter, various traditional dishes are prepared throughout the country, such as sopa marinera (a fish soup) and pescado frito (fried fish).
For dessert, people enjoy torrejas en miel, a traditional treat made from bread soaked in milk, eggs and cinnamon, then fried and served with honey or brown sugar. Another popular dish is ayote en miel, consisting of squash cooked in a sweet syrup made from panela (unrefined brown sugar) and spices. Best enjoyed with a buena taza de café!

Thank you to our volunteer Martina for the research!

Sources and further information:

Buen Provecho. (s.d.). Platillos más populares entre los hondureños en la Semana Santa. https://www.buenprovecho.hn/nuestro-sabor/platillos-mas-populares-entre-los-hondurenos-en-la-semana-santa/

Loescher Editore. (s.d.). La Semana Santa en América Latina. https://enespanol.loescher.it/news/la-semana-santa-en-america-latina-7712

Meléndez, F. (2020). Una mirada a los elementos autóctonos de la tradición oral indígena y garífuna de Honduras. Revista UNAH Sociedad, 1(IV), 80-102. https://doi.org/10.5377/rus.v0i0.10359

Tucker, Catherine. (2012). Syncretism and Conservation: Examining Indigenous Beliefs and Natural Resource Management in Honduras.

RDS Radio. (s.d.). Platillos emblemáticos en Honduras en Semana Santa. https://rdsradio.hn/articulo/platillos-emblematicos-en-honduras-en-semana-santa

Zapata, D. (2024, gennaio 30). Alfombras de Semana Santa, una muestra de arte y fe. El Heraldo. https://www.elheraldo.hn/honduras/alfombras-aserrin-semana-santa-fe-arte-tradicion-EG17110015

27/02/2026

Wir suchen eine*n neue*n Projektmitarbeiter*in zum 1. April 2026!

Hier findest du die Stellenausschreibung mit allen Infos:

https://pen-paper-peace.org/mach-mit/
Wir freuen uns auf deine Bewerbung :)

21/02/2026

International Mother Language Day - 21.02.:

International Mother Language Day was established by the UNESCO General Conference on November 17, 1999, and has been celebrated every February 21 since 2000, with the aim of promoting linguistic and cultural diversity.

Did you know that at the school Baumgartsbrunn in Namibia, students are taught both in English and Khoekhoegowab? In celebration of International Mother Language Day, let’s learn more about this language!

Khoekhoegowab (also known as Khoekhoe or Nama/Damara) belongs to the Khoisan language family, which is characterized by the use of click consonants. The use of Khoekhoegowab is mainly concentrated in the southern regions of Namibia, where it is spoken by the Nama and Damara communities.
Khoekhoegowab is recognized as one of the thirteen national languages in Namibia: it is widely used in education at all levels, as well as on the radio. It is estimated to be spoken by more than 200,000 people!

An interesting fact: the name of the country is derived from the word “Namib”, which describes a vast open space. What else to say? Gangans (thank you) and !Gâise !gû re (Good-bye)!

Thank you to our volunteer Martina for the research!

16/02/2026

Some impressions from 2025

At the daycare center “Pasos Pequeñitos” in Honduras, children of single parents have been cared for lovingly and educational workshops for parents have been implemented in 2025.

The vocational preparation center “Talleres” in Honduras has been providing professional training for adolescents in different branches.

At the school “Baumgartsbrunn” in Namibia, students and teachers have been building a vegetable garden and continuing their school education.

The schools St. Nicolas and St. Emma in Haiti have provided a safe space and quality education for more than 600 children despite the dangerous situation. Thank you to the 24 good deeds Advent calendar for their support!

We started the project “Tanzender Stern” (“Dancing Star”) in Germany, bringing workshops for students, teachers and parents to schools that are especially beneficial for children with ADHD.

As a follow-up to our computer learning game “Jeannes Reise”, we have developed accompanying educational materials that facilitate the integration into school lessons. Thank you to Joseph Ferdinand, Martin Reimer, Mathias Herrmann and Milena Jung for their valuable work!

Thank you so much for your support that enables us to continue our valuable work!

04/02/2026

📢 News from Honduras!
At the program „Talleres", for all students from grades 7 to 9, half of the school week is dedicated to academic subjects and the other half to vocational workshops in areas such as carpentry, tailoring, metalwork, electrics, car repair, and beauty.
The trainees sell the products that they have created. This not only generates economic profit, but also involves the young people in the entire process, from manufacturing to advertising and sale. It also boosts the adolescents' self-esteem when they see first-hand how other people admire their work and that it is entirely possible to earn a living from high-quality craftsmanship.
After passing the final exams, the trainees receive a state-recognised vocational certificate followed by an eight-week work placement in professional workshops. The practical experience helps the adolescents to be better prepared for an independent future by giving them tangible work experience in a profession.
The recognised certificate gives graduates a clear advantage on the job market, helping to reduce poverty and strengthen the local economy through better-trained professionals.

You can donate here to support the project: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/89782-talleres-apprenticeships-towards-new-opportunities-in-honduras

04/01/2026

Christmas in Haiti - Colonial Traces

France's colonization of Haiti, which lasted nearly two centuries (between the 17th and 19th centuries), profoundly changed the island's cultural traditions. Traces of this domination are still visible today, particularly in the following religious observation: More than 80% of the Haitian population is Catholic.

This religious heritage, once imposed by force, is now deeply rooted in the daily lives of the vast majority of Haitians and, as in all predominantly Christian countries, certain dates are of crucial importance. Christmas is no exception to this rule.

This holiday is particularly cherished by Haitians, who attach great importance to it: Radio stations play Christmas carols throughout December, houses are meticulously cleaned, new clothes are bought to attend Christmas Mass, and some regions organize fireworks displays called “pi detwal,” from the French “pluie d'étoiles” (stars rain).

December 24 is the most festive day of all: Children and adults make fanaux (small traditional lanterns), children clean their shoes and place them under the tree (it is rarely a whole tree, it can be a few pine or banana branches, or fake plastic trees) filling them with straw so that "Uncle Nwèl " (Father Christmas) can replace them with gifts. Preparations for dinner are gargantuan (usually goat with shela rice, potatoes, and Creole pâté), and it is only eaten after attending Christmas Mass, which can last until the early hours of the morning.

Thank you to our volunteer Andréa B. for the research!

09/12/2025

Colonial Traces in… Lisbon 👣
Padrão dos Descobrimentos

Thank you to our volunteer Andréa B. for the research and the photo! ❤️

02/12/2025

Today is Giving Tuesday, and we would be very grateful if you could support us with your donation! 🤗

Support primary schools in Haiti to give children a safe space and an education: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/13649-schools-for-haiti

Support the primary school „Baumgartsbrunn“ in Namibia: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/89424-support-for-the-farmschool-baumgartsbrunn

Support single parents and their children in the daycare center „Pasos Pequenitos“ in Honduras: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/73019-small-steps-help-single-mothers-to-complet-their-education-in-honduras

Support adolescents to get vocational training in Honduras: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/89782-talleres-apprenticeships-towards-new-opportunities-in-honduras

Support workshops in Germany to inform children, teachers and parents about ADHD: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/157897-pilot-project-tanzender-stern-working-together-to-support-kids-with-adhd

Support our association work in Germany to continue running the association: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/121605-global-learning-and-our-association-work

24/11/2025

📢 News from Namibia:
The boarding school "Baumgartsbrunn" in Namibia currently has 340 students from grade 1 to 7. There are 12 teachers, 15 boarding school employees and one administration employee.
The first three grades are taught in the mother tongue Khoekhoegowab and English is taught as a second language. From grade 4 on, as a transitional stage, everything is taught in English and Khoekhoegowab is a second language.
This school year, the teachers and students are building a garden next to the school buildings where they are planting vegetables.

To support the school, you can donate here: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/89424-support-for-the-farmschool-baumgartsbrunn

--german--
📢 Neuigkeiten aus Namibia:
Das Internat „Baumgartsbrunn” in Namibia hat derzeit 340 Schüler*innen der Klassen 1 bis 7. Es gibt 12 Lehrkräfte, 15 Internatsmitarbeitende und einen Verwaltungsangestellten.
Die ersten drei Klassen werden in der Muttersprache Khoekhoegowab unterrichtet, Englisch wird als Zweitsprache unterrichtet. Ab der 4. Klasse wird als Übergangsphase alles auf Englisch unterrichtet und Khoekhoegowab ist Zweitsprache.
Dieses Schuljahr legen die Lehrer und Schüler neben den Schulgebäuden einen Garten an, in dem sie Gemüse anbauen.

Um die Schule zu unterstützen, kannst du hier spenden:
https://www.betterplace.org/de/projects/89424-unterstuetzung-fuer-die-farmschule-baumgartsbrunn-in-namibia

18/11/2025

222nd anniversary of the „Battle of Vertières Day“ or „Armed Forces Day“ in Haiti

On the 17th to 18th of November in 1803, the Battle of Vertières took place. It was the final battle of the Haitian revolution which led to Haiti gaining its freedom from France. The Haitian forces were led by Jean-Jacques Dessalines and François Capois, the French forces by Donatien de Rochambeau. The French tried to regain control of their former colony, having already lost most of the territory. But in this final battle, the Haitians defeated them one last time. France surrendered officially and its troops left the island. On the 01.01.1804, Haiti officially became an independent country, thanks to the first and only successful revolution of formerly enslaved people.
Today, the 18th of November is an official holiday in Haiti where the victory over France is celebrated.

Now you know about the end, but how did it start? If you want to know more about the whole history of the Haitian revolution and its consequences, check out our learning modules for primary and secondary school and our digital learning game „Jeanne’s Reise“! (only available in German)

31/10/2025

Colonial Traces in … Genoa, Italy

Thank you to our volunteer Martina for the research and the photos!

Useful links:
Budasz, D., & Wurzer, M. (2023). Postcolonial Italy, A Public History Project Mapping Colonial Heritage. Interventions, 26(7), 1069–1075. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369801X.2023.2222710
Budasz, D., & Wurzer, M. (2019). Postcolonial Italy: Mapping colonial heritage. https://postcolonialitaly.com/

23/10/2025

--- German version see below ---

News from Haiti:
The new school year is now starting in Haiti, and we want to take this an opportunity to look back on the last school year.
Thanks to your donations and the 24guteTaten e.V. Christmas Calendar, it was possible to keep both schools (St. Nicolas and St. Emma) open and distribute food packages to the students' families.
In the current insecure and unstable environment in Haiti, the schools provided a safe and loving space for 236 students in St. Emma and 286 students in St. Nicolas. Despite the difficult conditions, it was a very successful educational year, with an impressive graduation rate of 95% on average.
Both schools embody a model of educational resilience within a community severely affected by insecurity and precariousness. Their educational achievements attest to their vital importance of their role in the quality education of young people.
To keep up this important work, we continue to need your financial support and are happy about any donation!
You can donate here: https://www.betterplace.org/en/projects/13649-schools-for-haiti

----------------------

Neuigkeiten aus Haiti:
In Haiti beginnt nun das neue Schuljahr, und wir möchten diese Gelegenheit nutzen, um auf das vergangene Schuljahr zurückzublicken.
Dank eurer Spenden und des 24guteTaten e.V. Adventskalenders war es möglich, beide Schulen (St. Nicolas und St. Emma) offen zu halten und Lebensmittelpakete an die Familien der Schüler*innen zu verteilen.
In der derzeitigen unsicheren und instabilen Lage in Haiti boten die Schulen 236 Schüler*innen in St. Emma und 286 Schüler*innen in St. Nicolas einen sicheren und liebevollen Raum. Trotz der schwierigen Bedingungen war es ein sehr erfolgreiches Schuljahr mit einer beeindruckenden Abschlussquote von durchschnittlich 95 %.
Beide Schulen verkörpern ein Modell für Bildungsresilienz innerhalb einer Umgebung, die stark von Unsicherheit und Prekarität geprägt ist. Ihre schulischen Erfolge belegen ihre entscheidende Bedeutung für die hochwertige Bildung junger Menschen.
Um diese wichtige Arbeit fortsetzen zu können, sind wir weiterhin auf eure finanzielle Unterstützung angewiesen und freuen uns über jede Spende!
Hier könnt ihr spenden: betterplace.org/de/projects/13649-schulen-fuer-haiti

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