The Saarpfalz district traditionally refrains from sending Christmas cards and instead supports voluntary initiatives. This year, Sterneneltern Saarland e. V. and Christa Baquet's "Trauercafé Oase" will each receive 500 euros. On this occasion, District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo was delighted to welcome Sandra Kern, 1st Chairperson, and Stephanie Lattuca, Assessor and Head of the Emergency Team, as well as Christa Baquet from Niederwürzbach, from the Board of Sterneneltern Saarland e.V.
What both organisations have in common is the topic of grief, which is still a taboo subject
Christa Baquet founded the "Trauercafé Oase" about 17 years ago as a place for coping with grief, a place where those personally affected can talk openly, intensively and accompanied by respect and compassion about the topics of death, parting and grief. But also about their fears. Supported by Ulla Haitzmann, Christa Baquet knows how to create a comforting environment in and for the community. The grief café takes place fortnightly and is still in great demand. Sometimes it is the only place of refuge that mourners choose for themselves, Christa Baquet emphasised. She knows the "Sterneneltern Saarland" and has already recommended the association as a place to go for those affected.
The non-profit organisation was founded in January 2018 as an initiative to support the parents of a deceased newborn, a so-called "star child", in what is probably the most tragic phase of their lives. The members of the association help the family in a variety of ways to cope with such a life fate and also to preserve the memory of the star child and keep it in their memory. Sandra Kern reported on 18 self-help groups that now meet regularly. There is also an emergency team that goes to hospitals in an acute situation.
District Administrator Dr Theophil Gallo was very touched by the stories. "Your work is invaluable. It is certainly necessary that you receive all kinds of support from outside in order to be able to continue your work in the future. I hope that we can make at least a small contribution with the financial donation from the Saarpfalz district," said the District Administrator, thanking Christa Baquet, Sandra Kern and Stephanie Lattuca for their selfless commitment and for coming and wishing everyone a peaceful Christmas season.
After the symbolic handover of the cheque, Christa Baquet did not hesitate to announce that she wanted to pass on the 500 euros to the star parents.