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Rays of hope in the crisis: How bravely needy Munich masters their everyday life

2022-12-01T04:28:11.588Z


Rays of hope in the crisis: How bravely needy Munich masters their everyday life Created: 01/12/2022 05:16 By: Sascha Karowski The former florist Ingrid G. is happy about a Christmas star and a life-size nutcracker. © Markus Goetzfried Over a quarter of a million people in Munich live below the poverty line. We report on four examples who, despite their precarious situation, master life with j


Rays of hope in the crisis: How bravely needy Munich masters their everyday life

Created: 01/12/2022 05:16

By: Sascha Karowski

The former florist Ingrid G. is happy about a Christmas star and a life-size nutcracker.

© Markus Goetzfried

Over a quarter of a million people in Munich live below the poverty line.

We report on four examples who, despite their precarious situation, master life with joy.

Munich - In Munich, around 266,000 people are affected by poverty.

Means: You have less than 1540 euros available per month.

At the request of the SPD and the Greens, the poverty threshold is now to be raised every year in order to support more Munich residents.

SPD parliamentary group leader Anne Hübner: "In the future, more people should be able to get the Munich Pass faster and thus an MVV social ticket and heating cost aid." Who also helps: the association Munich for Munich.

Every year in Advent he invites poor pensioners to dinner.

Four of them report here what poverty means to them - and why they are still full of joie de vivre.

Poverty in Munich: Trachtenverein makes people happy

Even if everything is becoming significantly more expensive and seniors are finding it difficult to hold their own against the rising prices with a low pension: the tradition remains and costs nothing.

It gives strength to Ronald Krause.

He has been a member of the Alpenrösl Trachtenverein in Allach, the oldest in Germany, for 30 years.

"We organize festivals and parades during Advent, where we parade through the village." There is also a St. Nicholas celebration, "here the outrages of the elderly from the past are read out," says the 76-year-old Allacher with a smile.

At weekly meetings, members from different generations spend time together and dance.

In addition, Ronald Krause collects for a raffle at the St. Nicholas celebration – his commitment to the association is his favorite activity during Advent.


Group therapy gives support

He used to take drugs, that's over.

"I've been clean for 20 years now and I'm trying to build my life up," says Peter Kusch (62).

However, the prices for apartments are very high and hardly affordable, "that's why I'm glad to be able to live with the workers' welfare in Aubing".

Life goes on.

He is part of a group called the Lebensgarten.

A therapist leads the discussion.

Five members talk about what they still want to achieve in their lives.

"The group really inspires me and I found stability through it," he says.

"Two members of the group sing in the choir, I've now joined it, I unexpectedly find it a lot of fun." A number of events take place here during Advent, such as a celebration of Caritas Aubing on December 22nd.

You can find more current news from Munich and the region at tz.de/muenchen.


Flowers make Ingrid's life colorful

Despite her low pension, Ingrid G. would like to pursue her passion – and that is flowers.

"That's why acquaintances pay for the flowers that they think are beautiful and I then use them to create a bouquet or wreath," reports the former florist.

"I've already made six Advent wreaths this year," she reveals.

The 80-year-old from Sendling has also sewn and crocheted clothes for the neighborhood children.

She ended up spending Christmas Eve with her niece.

So it's a good thing that Ingrid also loves to decorate.

She is also responsible for decorating the Christmas tree.

“I always have to do something practical with my hands.

Creating something beautiful is my way of enjoying Advent.”


Fun with sheepsheads and bowling

Since the pension is often only enough for the basic necessities of life and not for leisure activities, many seniors are lonely.

The community and togetherness during the Advent season are the most important things for Georg Beindl.

That's why he goes to the workers' welfare organization in Laim every Thursday in Advent.

"We get together and spend time together.

We either play sheepsheads and skittles, but sometimes we just talk about our thoughts and problems.” The 66-year-old from Munich is not alone at Christmas either: “I'm in the 'Community Kitchen' in Neuperlach on Christmas Eve,” he reports.

The founder Günes Seyfarth saves food from being thrown away and then uses it to cook something for the guests.

The holidays are already planned.

"I'm going to visit two good friends over the Christmas holidays,

also read

Most expensive city even more expensive: rents in Munich are rising “almost unstoppably”

Munich benefits from checkout errors at Aldi – and proudly presents its loot

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Source: merkur

All news articles on 2022-12-01

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