Solidarity in the Ahr valley meets Christmas decorations from Kiel

The following text was sent to us by an activist from Kiel who wants to combine her desire for active interpersonal solidarity with her desire to take action against the climate catastrophe and set up a regional group of Care Revolution in Kiel. Thank you very much!

When I think back to the pre-Christmas period last year, I am once again overcome by that wonderful "we-feeling". It was lovely to see what happened when we made a small appeal to donate Christmas decorations for the Ahr valley. If I can collect a box full, that would be a small contribution, I thought. In the end, there were many boxes, almost 1000 stars made from sandwich bags to decorate some schools, day-care centres and people shaken by the flood. It was a lot of good conversations and an incredible feeling to have helped a little, to have made a tiny contribution, to support the people in this hard-hit region a little and to show that you are not alone.

On the one hand, the huge disaster right in front of me and on the other, the gratitude of the people and the joy of a few Christmas baubles. In spring, the helper shuttle then launched an appeal for donations under the motto "We make it green, we make it colourful, we make it beautiful". My idea of involving not only my neighbourhood support group but also the allotment gardeners from our allotment garden association with a notice in the garden's showcase was very well received, and I received roses, horn shavings, lawn seeds, horned violets and much more. The campaign was also a small success from here.

These activities have shown me how much willingness there is to help each other. At the same time, the flood in the Ahr valley shows how close we are to a climate catastrophe. I would like to take further action to raise awareness, sensitise people and intervene. However, none of this is possible for me as an individual. For this reason, it is very important to me to found a regional group of the Care Revolution Network here in Kiel. I see our responsibility for the climate as just as much a care issue as the multitude of everyday situations in which people look after each other. All of this is care. This is where we need active support as well as better social conditions for carers. Courage makes you grow. For suggestions, to encourage others or if you are interested in joining a Care Revolution group in Kiel, please send me an email: brimbach@googlemail.com