Worldwide Surprise - Children for a Fair World

Worldwide Surpr!se is a campaign for children, which combines fun with intercultural learning and development-oriented commitment. So-called “Wichtel-puppets” from the Fair Trade Shop promote an intercultural exchange of customs.

On November 29th, 2004 Dr. Margot Käßmann, bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Hanover, opened the campaign with a press conference at the children's day-care center Gethsemane in Hanover, Germany. The children of the center presented Dr. Käßmann with their hand made "wichtel" puppets, which where then sent to a kindergarten in Ethiopia. For pictures from the kindergarten in Ethiopia click here. Pictures of the press conference can be seen here.

The campaign

How does worldwide surprise work? Who does it support? What does the campaign aim for? You can find answers to these questions with the link below. You can also download material for your own Hands-on campaign or publication: pictures, logos, flyers, and templates for adds, as well as the campaign workbook (in German). Read more here

Join in

Worldwide Surpr!se is a hands-on campaign - it calls for your own creativity. In this section, you will find ideas and suggestions for many fun hours of decorating Wichtelpuppets. You can also learn more about Christmas customs, read reports on the campaign, and listen to music samples from "wichtel" countries around the world. Read more here

"Wichtel" Corner

Send "Wichtel" greetings over the internet or share your own christmas stories and experiences with others! Read more here

"Wichtel" Shop

Would you like to order "Wichtel" hand puppets? Still looking for a unique Christmas present? Here you can order puppets online and find many useful addresses. Read more

Support Us!

If you would like to help us form partnerships between children from different continents and cultures, or would like to make a donation to other campaigns helping children, please click here.