STARS SHINE FOR EVERYONE
An Astronomy Project for children with disabilities and underserved communities around the world
Stars Shine For Everyone or Project 'Sterren Schitteren Voor Iedereen', SSVI, is realized by the Amateur Telescope Making Group (Kijkerbouw), Volkssterrenwacht A. Pien vzw and Ghent University dept. Physics and Astronomy.
"All children in special education and vulnerable people should have the opportuntiy to admire the starry sky with the help of a telescope". This is the starting point of the founder of the project, Jean-Pierre Grootaerd.
Belgian astronauts Dirk Frimout and Frank De Winne parented the project SSVI and Science 4 girls. The project is present in over 190 countries across all continents.
To this project, SSVI provides a significant number of Bresser telescopes each year. Traditionally, these are Bresser Messier 90/900, 70/700 and 80/640 refractors equipped with solar filter and eyepieces. Rob Waldrecht Productions provides extra educational materials.
Through the menu, you can explore more about the organization's founder and the numerous partnerships he has established. We would like to give a special mention to those who helped bring this project to life and continue to support it day in, day out, year after year. You will also find details on the various initiatives SSVI undertakes and supports to achieve its mission. Finally, the menu offers information on how to obtain a telescope or request a school workshop for example, as well as ways you can contribute to this wonderful project.
Partnerships
- 2019 - 2024 - During the IAU100 celebration in the year 2019, SSVI was allowed to have an important place. In 2020 until 2024, SSVI became a partner of IAU Office for Astronomy Outreach. A contest "Telescopes For All" was held where 30 telescopes with accessories were distributed.
- 2020 - Partnership with L'Astronomy Afrique and RFI l'emission Autour de la Question.
- 2021 - Partnership with Beamline for Schools, a project powered by CERN, DESY (Hamburg) and ELSA (Univ. Bonn).
- 2022 - Partnership with Younivers (Societe Astronomique de France)
- 2023 - Partnership with Physics in Adventm Univ. Goettingen (Germany)
- 2024 - Partnership with International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition
Projects
In addition to distributing telescopes worldwide, SSVI drives numerous other initiatives dedicated to making science accessible to diverse and underserved audiences.
Closer to home, the 'SSVI in a Box' project brings hands-on astronomy directly into local communities. On an international level, the project proudly partners with global initiatives such as 'Beamline For Schools' at CERN.
Furthermore, SSVI actively organises and supports specialized teacher programs, including educational visits tot the Eastern Southern Observatory (ESO) in Münich. These programs empower and insiper educators to bring astronomy in their classrooms, sparking interest in science for generations to come. Discover the full scope of our initiatives on the [Projects] page.
Win an SSVI telescope
Through various international competitions, SSVI gives schools and youth groups the chance to win their own telescope. In 2026, we are proudly partnering with several renowned educational initiatives:
Beamline for Schools (CERN): A global physics competition where teams can win exclusive outreach prizes, including telescopes signed by Nobel Prize laureates.
L'Astronomie Afrique: A quarterly competition in collaboration with RFI, bringing astronomy to communities across Africa.
Physics in Advent (PiA®): An annual physics advent calendar that rewards young researchers for solving creative science mysteries.
IAAC: The International Astronomy and Astrophysics Competition, offering telescopes signed by astronauts and Nobel laureates.
Please note: All telescopes are dedicated to astronomy outreach and group education in the spirit of the 'Telescopes for All' project. They are not intended for exclusive private use.
Why donate?
"The beautiful night sky can be seen by everyone, everywhere on Earth. That is why every single person deserves the chance to experience its wonder. For a child, gazing at a clear starry sky can be their very first realization of just how vast the universe truly is. That single glimpse through a telescope can spark questions that last a lifetime: How does this work? What lies out there? Where do we come from? Could I discover that one day?
Curiosity is the foundation of learning. It drives science, technology, and innovation. Yet, not every child is given the same opportunities to nurture that curiosity. SSVI brings the stars to children who might otherwise rarely encounter science and technology. By organizing inspiring activities, the project allows children to discover, experiment, and marvel firsthand. In doing so, astronomy becomes accessible to everyone, regardless of their background or personal circumstances. Because talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not.
Your contribution helps these children broaden their horizons. You make it possible for them to not only see the moon, the planets, and the stars, but to truly understand them. Thanks to your support, a child might just discover a lifelong passion for science—becoming the engineer, researcher, teacher, or inventor of tomorrow.Every contribution, large or small, brings us closer to a world where wonder is not a privilege, but an opportunity available to every child. Investing in a child's curiosity today is an investment in the future of us all."
Prof. Ewine Van Dischoeck
Leiden University, former president of the IAU