Amazon Community Fund
#helpunshelp from November 1st - 29th
ArrivalAid was selected as one of ten non-profit organizations across Germany for the Amazon Community Fund.
What does that mean? worked with Amazon to reach our fundraising goal as part of the fund
Right now our work is more important than ever. The Amazon Community Fund helps us to start this year well prepared.
THANKS
€50,471 as part of the Amazon Community Fund ! to support success stories next year
September 20, 2023
Success Story #7 – Dawood
In this format, we give different people who we have been able to accompany at ArrivalAid over the years the space to tell their stories. We try to convey what is being told as authentically as possible and to give people a voice.
Dawood is 21 years old and has been in Germany since July 2022 . He started his training as an industrial electronics technician on September 1st. He is a very open, charismatic person with a great charisma. This week he told us his story and what it was like for him to arrive in Germany and how his life has developed since his arrival. Andrea , a volunteer from ArrivalAid , accompanied Dawood in our Job&Career as he searched for a training position. Together with Andrea, Dawood reports on the collaboration and the search for a training position.
The start in Germany
Dawood was born in Jordan and is 21 years old. After graduating from high school, he moved to Ukraine to fulfill his dream of studying medicine abroad. In order to first learn the language and prepare for his studies, he attended the preparatory course for studying medicine. Last summer he came to Germany due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine and had to stop his preparatory studies. He finally reached Munich via Düsseldorf and Cologne.
Dawood was the only family member to come to Germany. His family is spread all over the world. His father still lives in Ukraine and his mother in Turkey.
He reports on his arrival in Germany and says that it is very difficult to find your way around and settle in in Germany at the beginning. In the early days he received a lot of support from aid organizations. This also includes ArrivalAid and other organizations and their free courses.
The search for a training position
When Dawood came to Germany, he changed his mind about studying medicine and looked for an alternative. Since the automotive industry is very present in Munich and Dawood also developed a great interest in it, he decided to go into this field.
When Dawood decided to look for a training position, he became aware of the Jobs&Careers program. His mentor is Andrea, she is 25 years old and studies education at the Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich. Andrea has already gained a lot of experience as a volunteer and has been active with ArrivalAid for a year. Before working at ArrivalAid , she worked primarily in child and youth work. The job mentoring with Dawood is her second mentoring at ArrivalAid .
The mentoring began with simply getting to know each other so that both of them could clarify what exactly Dawood had in mind for a training position and where he needed the most support. Afterwards, there were several meetings every one to two weeks over the course of two months to exchange ideas and ask questions if necessary. The two got along very well and the collaboration was very relaxed and uncomplicated.
Dawood already had extensive application documents and he had also independently found out about training fairs that he could attend. Dawood needed the most support when researching a suitable training position, as he had previously had little experience with internet research. Andrea actively supported him in this. Dawood had hardly any problems with the language and has a lot of initiative. As part of a training fair, Dawood became aware of the industrial electronics technician training position and introduced himself personally on site and got to know the company. He was then invited to a trial day of work and was immediately able to convince the employer of himself. His training began this September.
Tips from Dawood and Andrea for people in a similar situation: “Have courage and don’t despair”
Andrea makes it clear that a good knowledge of German is particularly advantageous.
“Sticking with it and learning the language is the most important thing.” She also advises not to lose patience as there will be setbacks. She also emphasizes that you should have the courage to ask questions and ask for help. Open communication would be very beneficial in this case. ArrivalAid ’s clients . “Also go there and talk to people who are in the same situation. That can be very helpful.”
Dawood advises anyone who is in the same situation as he was to seek help in finding training or a job and to contact organizations such as ArrivalAid .
“You always need support because there will be a lot of challenges. Everything is different here in Germany than in our homeland.”
Above all, Dawood emphasizes that technical progress in Germany is very far compared to his home country. In his home country of Jordan, everything works differently; there are hardly any online meetings and email correspondence. All meetings still take place in person. This presented him and many other people who are new to Germany with a big change and challenge.
“There are so many foreigners who think that this is how it works here in Germany, but it’s not like that. You have to adapt.” He also emphasizes, “You have to put in a lot of effort and not let your head down. There will be a lot of rejection, but you can’t give up.”
outlook into the future
Dawood's goal during his training and for the next few years is primarily to expand his knowledge of German. After his training he wants to continue and either continue his education in the form of a master's degree or study at the university. He already has his Abitur and would therefore be eligible to start studying. However, he would like to gain experience in Germany before he starts studying. For him, the decision to do an apprenticeship was the best start to his professional life in Germany.
“I’m not stopping after my training, I want to finish it.”
August 16, 2023
Success Story #6 – Sonya
– Sonya's way to Germany
In this format we give different people that we at ArrivalAid over the years, the space to tell their story. We try to convey what is being told as authentically as possible and to give people a voice.
Sonya is 40 years old and has been Germany with her four children for almost 1.5 years . She is currently training in wholesale and foreign trade management and has settled in well in Germany. ArrivalAid Sonya has been accompanying her in the Trauma Help Center since March and in the Jobs & Careers . This week she told us her story and how her life has developed since she arrived in Germany.
Sonya Hangi was born in Kitona, Congo as the third of five sisters. She is now married and 40 years old. She has been living in Germany with her four children since April 2022.
As a child, Sonya grew up in Germany because her father studied medicine in Germany. She followed him to Germany in 1988 as a 5-year-old with her mother and siblings. She spent her entire childhood with her family in a small village between Bonn and Cologne. Here she attended primary and secondary school. When her father completed his medical studies, it was still very difficult for him to find work as a doctor in Germany, which is why the family returned to the Congo.
“In my heart, Germany is my home because I spent almost my entire childhood here.”
After 25 years, Sonya is back in Germany today. But as an asylum seeker she finds it much more difficult than before. Sonya completed her bachelor's degree in Business Administration & Management in Uganda. Sonya is currently doing training in Germany. Sonya decided to do training to secure her stay in Germany. In the event of a negative asylum decision, Sonya can receive training toleration. Sonya decided against employment as a skilled worker, even though she already has a degree and work experience, as this would have entailed uncertain prospects for residency.
“A lot of people complain about Germany, but I'm more of a person who sees the positive. We don’t have to sleep on the streets here, my children go to school, we have health insurance, so I can’t complain.”
Especially because the situation in her home country was very difficult, Sonya really appreciates living in Germany again. For her and her family, Germany is a place where they can finally breathe out and have perspective. She therefore hopes that the rest of the family from the Congo can join them soon.
Search for training
After arriving in Germany, Sonya and her family initially went to four different camps, which meant her children had to constantly change schools. It was a very unstable situation for her. After arriving in Germany, she received support from many organizations and clubs. Sonya was supported by the job center, for example, in finding a B2 German course. Sonya was also told about ArrivalAid to help her find a job. Sonya first registered with us for our Trauma Help program, where she was shown methods for dealing with stress. Sonya was supported in her job search by our “Jobs & Careers” program. As part of this program, Sonya was matched with volunteer job mentors who helped her select and apply for a suitable training position.
“After that, ArrivalAid gave me volunteers as mentors who then advised me and helped me find training. With the help of ArrivalAid and the volunteers, I actually got a training position in wholesale and foreign trade management.”
After a short time, Sonya was accepted for a training position in wholesale and foreign trade management at Drei Bond. She is currently also working in purchasing at the same company and is very happy there. She often met with the volunteers who helped her find training even after she was looking for a job.
Church asylum
In addition to job mentoring, Sonya also received support from ArrivalAid with the asylum process. Since Sonya and her children entered Germany via Italy, the family received a Dublin decision at the end of last year, which means that Italy would be responsible for the asylum procedure. Accordingly, the family should go back to Italy to go through the asylum procedure there, even though Sonya was already very rooted in Germany through her childhood. Sonya was helpless at the time, still had four underage children and didn't know what to do. We then helped her apply for church asylum, which worked. Now this risk of deportation no longer exists, which Sonya is very happy about.
“I am always grateful ArrivalAid for that.”
Future goals
For the future, Sonya hopes that she can work properly after her training. She hopes this will earn her a higher salary and would like to look for her own apartment for herself and her family. Sonya is currently living in a shared apartment with four other families, which is often a big challenge for the family.
“I would like to look for an apartment for myself and my children. Because we currently live in shared accommodation. Living with four other families isn’t always that easy.”
Her long-term goal is to have a career in Germany, to be able to stay here and to soon find her own apartment. She would also like her husband and their four other children, who still live in the Congo, to be able to join her. Then her whole family could be together again in Germany.
We will continue to support Sonya should she need our help in the future. It's nice that we can accompany them with our team and our volunteers.
December 22, 2022
Success Story #5 – Mor
– A young man's long journey to Germany
In this format, we give different people who we have been able to accompany at ArrivalAid over the years the space to tell their stories. We try to convey what is being told as authentically as possible and to give people a voice.
Mor is 29 years old and has been in Germany for almost 8 years . bakery for a few years now and has settled in well in Germany. ArrivalAid has been supporting Mor for about 4 years in the Jobs & Careers . He is a very humorous and open person. This week he told us his story and how his life has evolved since he arrived in Europe.
Mor was born in 1993 in Mali, his father's birthplace. His mother comes from Senegal. He spent the first six years of his life with his mother in Mali. He has no memories of his father. At the age of six, Mor was sent to another village to go to a Koran school. For him, this means moving to his grandfather, away from his mother. He learned a lot about the Koran there and still draws a lot of strength from his faith to this day.
“ Africa was a long time ago. There were a lot of problems there, but God is good to me.”
The journey starts
Mor left his homeland 14 years ago. When he is 15 years old he has to go away alone. He pays $700 to be able to take a boat to Greece. The boat is small, a simple inflatable boat. This is dangerous and cold.
“It can break with one puff. I have seen many people die. I was just thinking about getting through.”
Once in Greece, Mor has to walk a lot and because of all the water and cold, Mor's foot is injured. Since he had no money for medical care at the time, he made himself a simple bandage.
“Lots of problems, no family, lots of pain, lots of stress, no sleep.”
Mor then spends a few years in Turkey. He makes ends meet, works as a salesman and is able to finance his life that way. One night there is an attack, he is robbed and seriously injured in the arm. Mor then decides to leave Turkey and go to Germany.
Positive developments in Germany
Here he arrives in 2015. He initially stays in various cities until he finally comes to Munich. He immediately starts taking a language course. He is very motivated to learn German. Because of his hard work, he learns quickly and can communicate well after a short time. He also immediately starts looking for a job. Here, too, it doesn't take long until he finds a job. He takes up a position as caretaker. However, his dream is to become a baker. 1 ½ years later he manages to fulfill this wish. With the help of ArrivalAid he finds a job at a bakery in Munich. He works there a lot, 6 days a week. He is very committed and bakes up to 300 rolls a day.
“My hands are always broken, always white from all the flour.”
He likes his work and is grateful that he has now become so well received. He is good at what he does. Three years later he wanted to change companies because the working conditions at the bakery were difficult. In the summer of 2022 he will move to the NEUER Bakery in Munich, where he has been working since then and is very satisfied.
On his day off, Mor likes to sleep in, read, cook or watch a movie. He also likes to buy new clothes and go to the disco.
outlook
When he meets people from Mali or Senegal here, he asks about his mother. Since he left Africa, he has no longer had any contact with her and knows nothing else about his family. He doesn't know where they are or whether they are still alive. He hopes to be able to get information about her one day.
“I don’t have a family, it’s very difficult. But I am fine. Nothing is a problem here. I can go to work, buy clothes, make myself food and just go outside.”
His goal now is to learn even more German and practice reading and writing German. When he is ready, he would like to do an apprenticeship. We continue to support him when he needs help and are proud of him for how he has mastered his journey to date. We are very grateful that he shared his story with us and wish him all the best for his future.
November 24, 2022
Success Story #4 – Ayyah
– a big sister with a big heart
This week Ayyah (31 years old) from Libya told us the moving story of her and her younger siblings.
ArrivalAid has accompanied Ayyah in the AbilityAid . Ayyah is the oldest of 6 siblings. She has lived in Munich with her little sister (14 years old) and her little brother (13 years old) since 2019. multiple physical and cognitive disabilities since birth and is in a wheelchair. Her brother has autism with difficulty concentrating and hyperactivity . There is currently no adequate medical care for the two in Libya. Ayyah's life revolves around her little siblings every day. She gave up her job as a doctor so that they could have a better life here in Germany.
Ayyah has a very positive aura and manages to remain positive and optimistic about the future despite all the difficulties that come with her life. We are very grateful that she shares her story with us.
Departure from Libya
In 2018 the situation in Libya is critical. It's war. Ayyah and her family have difficulty accessing resources essential to survival. There is no appropriate medical care for someone like Ayyah's little sister, who had two head surgeries in 2013. In October 2018, the young girl became ill. Things aren't going well for her. The family is doing everything they can to enable her to have a vital operation. It takes 4 months before the child's parents can apply for a visa to come to Munich for an operation. It is clear to Ayyah that she will accompany her little sister to Germany.
“My siblings are the most important thing to me.”
The operation is carried out three days after their arrival. This saves the girl's life. However, her optic nerve has been permanently damaged in the four months of waiting and she is losing her sight. This is traumatizing for the 14-year-old and a serious blow for the entire family.
“She was already in a wheelchair and already limited, so it was very heartbreaking for the whole family. But we always try to look on the bright side of life. At any time."
More trouble
Six months later, Ayyah's little brother also comes to Germany. In his home country he attends a school that cannot offer him adequate support. There are children of all ages in his class and it is too difficult for him to follow the lessons. When Ayyah's mother picks him up from school early one afternoon to go to a doctor's appointment, she sees other children laughing at him and beating him up. Afterwards he no longer speaks and is traumatized. His mental health is deteriorating and the family no longer knows how to help him. Then they see a way out for the little boy by bringing him to Germany too.
Positive developments
Once he arrives in Germany, he can take part in music therapy for six months. He took part very well and blossomed quickly. Today he goes to school and has a place in a special education day care center.
“My brother has developed what feels like 10 years in just 3 years.”
Ayyah's little sister was also accepted into a school after a year's wait. She now visits them every day for a few hours in the morning. Ayyah describes how much the two of them have developed and how much they have learned here. They really enjoy going to school and have more joy in life again after all the psychological stress. Her little brother likes to help her a little around the house and with looking after their sister. She can now say a few German words and the names of the teachers she likes. She has also already found a friend at school.
“That’s just how life is. But that’s okay, everything will be fine.”
Ayyah's daily life revolves around the two of them. Previously, she was hardly involved in family matters; she worked a lot every day. Now her life looks different. She has been looking after her siblings alone every day for months. It's ups and downs. Sometimes self-doubt overcomes her, but she doesn't give up. Her dream is to one day be able to work as a doctor again.
"It's not easy. But I don't regret anything. If life were to repeat itself, I would make the same decision again and again to come to Germany with my siblings.”
It is admirable how positive Ayyah goes through life and has been giving everything for her siblings for almost 4 years. She is currently urgently looking for a place for her sister in a special education day care center so that she can finally work herself again. We hope that one day she can fulfill her wish and support her whenever she needs help.
November 17, 2022
Success Story #3 – Abdoulie
– seven years with ups and downs
In this format, we give different people who we have been able to accompany at ArrivalAid over the years the space to tell their stories. We try to convey what is being told as authentically as possible and to give people a voice.
Abdoulie is 27 years old, has been a trained hotel manager since last year and works in a hotel in Munich. ArrivalAid has been accompanying Abdoulie on his journey for many years - including in the Jobs & Careers and EducAid training support programs. Abdoulie is now a friend of the house; he is a person with positive energy and lots of ideas. He loves his work, likes to cook, play sports and make music. What he particularly likes about Bavaria are the mountains and nature. We are happy that he is sharing his story with us.
“It wasn’t easy at the beginning”
Abdoulie came to Munich from Gambia in 2015. At the beginning he was in the church asylum in Munich Sendling for a few weeks before he was able to move to asylum accommodation. The uncertain situation in the asylum procedure and in the asylum accommodation was difficult for him: Am I allowed to stay? Where can I live? Is there a perspective for me? Do I have to leave the country again?
Abdoulie wanted to learn and work, he quickly knew that he wanted to do an apprenticeship. It was clear to him: Learning a profession means having a perspective. The training is also an opportunity to stay and work in Germany if the asylum application is negative. So the decision was made. But learning the German language was very difficult. Abdoulie says, “at some point I thought: OK, I just have to do it somehow!”
At that time, Abdoulie started always speaking German, no matter how, in order to somehow improve.
The training is a ray of hope
At the end of 2015, he attended language courses for six months, followed by career orientation, and then graduated from secondary school. As part of the orientation, he begins an internship at the Holiday Inn Hotel. There he gets to know all areas of a hotel and finally gets a confirmation for training as a hotel specialist from August 2017. The training is going well, he enjoys the work:
“I like working with people, with guests. I’m a happy guy.”
The best thing: He can move into a small employee apartment in the hotel. He lives on the same floor with a few other trainees. After two and a half years in asylum accommodation with several people in one room, having your own room with a small kitchen is like a gift. He is very grateful to his training company:
“My boss at Holly always helped me!”
Hard times
Abdoulie was very satisfied with the training. He learned a lot, his German got better, and his colleagues were very nice. But money was tight. After deducting the rent for the room and food, there was nothing left each month. He also worked in a bar in the summer to supplement the trainee's salary. Just work, there was no time for anything else. Then suddenly the negative asylum decision came. It was clear that this could happen. But when it became official, it was hard. Abdoulie was in bad shape, “I couldn't sleep anymore, I lay awake every night. At times everything was very difficult, there was too much stress.”
We appealed the verdict and looked for a lawyer for him. Paying them seemed impossible, but it worked out in very small installments. Abdoulie wanted to stop training. The training was important in order to be able to stay in Germany. Long conversations later, Abdoulie decided to continue the training.
Big challenges: final exam, corona pandemic & second negative decision
In 2020 everything comes at once. The second negative decision arrives at the beginning of the year and we apply for training toleration. After three years of training, the final exam was due to take place in July 2020. Abdoulie failed it. Abdoulie had no problems at vocational school for a long time and his grades were good. But there was hardly any time for learning outside of work. Above all, he now had to practice math and social studies. The Holiday Inn would have liked to take Abdoulie on after his training, but in the middle of the pandemic and lockdown they were unable to offer him a contract. He soon had to move out of the staff apartment. Luckily he was able to stay there a little longer. Meanwhile, the immigration authorities reject the application for training toleration because Abdoulie is no longer in training.
We were able to find Abdoulie a volunteer job mentor who helped him apply for a new job. The two were quickly successful and he was able to start working in a small hotel in Munich Giesing. From August he had a job again, but unfortunately only for a few months. Here too, he was unable to continue working due to Corona. Now he no longer had a job and couldn't earn any money and had to move out of the employee apartment.
When Abdoulie also failed the re-examination in December 2020, we were alarmed. Abdoulie was frustrated. How could we help him? The exam preparation course only took place online once a week, which was not enough. It was a lucky coincidence that we were able to find a new volunteer, a teacher. She also met with Abdoulie and, above all, practiced math with him. Abdoulie was extremely grateful because “ like her, no one has ever explained this to me in three years of training!” Abdoulie became more confident in the word problems and had renewed hope of being able to pass the exam. Then suddenly the information: The second repeat exam will take place orally. You have to know: Communication is Abdoulie's strength! So that was really good news. Abdoulie and the volunteer continued practicing and Abdoulie passed the exam on the third attempt in June 2021. The joy was great and Abdoulie was infinitely happy.
All's well that ends well?
Abdoulie has been working at the Ruby Rosi Hotel in Munich since August 2021. He works there as a bartender, receptionist and supports the service as a host. “My boss is great, my colleagues are very nice. I feel totally comfortable.”
By completing vocational training and working in the profession he learned, he received a residence permit. Finding an apartment is still a big topic, but at the moment it looks like it will work out with an apartment 🙂
We will continue to support Abdoulie when he needs our help. It's nice that we can accompany him with our team and our volunteers.
November 10, 2022
Success story #2 – Assurance
– the story of a young student
In this format, we give different people who we have been able to accompany at ArrivalAid over the years the space to tell their stories. We try to convey what is being told as authentically as possible and to give people a voice.
Assurance (19), who is originally from Nigeria, told us his eventful story of the last few months.
We as ArrivalAid have been supporting Assurance in the Jobs & Careers and EducAid training support . The young man studied in Ukraine and to Germany from Ukraine . He had to stop studying in Kharkiv. His hobbies are playing drums and keyboards, and the 19-year-old also creates YouTube videos in which he plays video games.
The last few months were a big challenge for him, as after arriving in Germany he had to learn the language and find training in a very short time in order to be able to continue to stay in Germany.
The trip to Germany
In 2019, Assurance went to Ukraine to study “Computer Engineering”. When the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine began in 2022, he had to leave the country. He first sought refuge in Hungary for two weeks, but decided to continue on to Germany to live with his aunt and uncle.
Because Assurance does not have Ukrainian citizenship, he had to comply with the rules for third-country nationals. People who have lived in Ukraine but do not have Ukrainian citizenship are referred to as third-country nationals. Different rules apply in Germany to so-called third-country nationals from Ukraine than to people with Ukrainian citizenship.
This regulation brought with it major challenges.
A stressful time
What does this mean for assurance? Deadline August 31, 2022 – he had to have found a training position by then, otherwise he would have had to leave Germany immediately.
Assurance entered Germany on April 7, 2022 and only had six months to learn the language, find a job and move into an apartment. However, the young student did not let these hopeless aspects demotivate him and completed a language course in just four months and also received his B1 certificate.
“It was a really short time to learn the language”
Finding a training position was also a challenge for Assurance. The areas that had something to do with his studies had high demands and were often associated with high costs. So he started looking for training in other interesting areas.
“It was a lot of stress for me to find training”
Training
Fortunately, Assurance found a job just before August 31st. and started training as a restaurant specialist at Der Pschorr on Viktualienmarkt on September 1st.
“I’m very proud that I’m doing an apprenticeship.”
The language barrier was a challenge for Assurance in his first month. He sometimes didn't know exactly what the guests wanted from him, but he got used to it over time. Now he feels much more confident because he knows the food and knows exactly what he has to do. The young apprentice is also happy that the training gives him the chance to improve his German skills. In his training company he has to speak German eight hours a day, which helps his vocabulary grow.
“I am very happy at my job because I know that I have the chance to learn more German during it.”
Assurance knows that with every advance in the German language, vocational school becomes a little easier. If he has problems with the language, he writes down the words or tasks that are unknown to him and then discusses them with the mentor that ArrivalAid has provided him with. Assurance meets regularly with his mentor after work, and after joint learning sessions the two often do something together.
“I would like to thank my mentor for the support he offers me”
“If I have difficulty understanding something, I write down the words and then discuss them with my mentor.”
Future goals:
Assurance's biggest goal is to successfully complete your training. Meanwhile, he would like to improve his German skills. He also wants to finish his studies, which he started in Ukraine. It is important for him to study software development after completing his training at a university.
“I hope that after my training I can continue my studies in computer engineering”
It is remarkable what Assurance has achieved in such a short period of time. We will continue to accompany him on his journey and support him in following his path. We are pleased that a friendship was formed through ArrivalAid 's mentorship.
November 3, 2022
Success Story #1 – Ruth’s Story
In this format, we give different people who we have been able to accompany at ArrivalAid over the years the space to tell their stories We try to convey what is being told as authentically as possible and to give people a voice. Ruth (27 years old) also told us her impressive story.
ArrivalAid has been supporting Ruth in the Jobs&Careers and EducAid .
She has lived in Germany with her husband Destiny for 7 years, where she gave birth to their two sons (4 and 6 years old). Her hobbies are dancing, cooking and playing soccer. She played in a football club in her home country Nigeria - unfortunately she hasn't had the time for that since she moved to Germany and was the mother of two children.
The last few years have been an ordeal for the young family - marked by many challenges and great fears and self-doubt.
arrival in Germany
After a few weeks in Italy and living under very poor living conditions and without any prospects, Ruth and her husband Destiny came to Germany in December 2015. They spent two months in an arrival center in Altötting and then had to move to shared accommodation in Munich Freiham.
In June 2016 – 6 months after the birth of their first son – the sobering news came: the asylum application had been rejected. The objection to this decision was also unsuccessful. Ruth and her husband were asked to present their passports at the immigration office so that deportation to Nigeria could be carried out.
hopelessness
Ruth describes that she had little hope of being able to stay in Germany. In 2020 she came to ArrivalAid to advise Jobs&Careers: There was one last option: find training in Germany! Ruth was very unsure whether this was the right path.
“It’s going to be so hard
because I don’t speak the language well.”
The ArrivalAid employees encouraged Ruth to give it a try and gave her a mentor with whom she sent out applications - initially without success: rejections everywhere. Except for one: “Invitation to an interview at EDEKA for training as a saleswoman.” The interview was on Wednesday. She was supposed to hear back 1-2 days after the interview - nothing came by Friday!
Training
On Saturday morning, then the good news: “Congratulations, you can start your training in September”
“I screamed so much:
Woohoo! Thank God"
Ruth says that her German was still very poor at that time. Once a week she studied for school with her ArrivalAid mentor. The first few months of training were “so much stress, it wasn’t easy”. It was extremely difficult to keep up with vocational school.
“The first year of training was very difficult –
I didn’t understand what the teachers said”
At the beginning of the training, Ruth was sure that she would never make it through the four-month probationary period because her German was not good. In January, she received positive feedback from her employer: Ruth was always very focused and asked a lot of questions when she didn't understand something. The probationary period was over! Another hurdle: final exam! The intermediate exams were extremely difficult. How was Ruth supposed to pass the final exam, which was “ten times harder”? The exam was on May 2nd. At midnight on June 3rd the results came. Of course Ruth couldn't sleep. When the results came back, she couldn't believe her luck.
“I didn't think I could do it,
In the end I did it.”
"My prayers were heard". – Ruth has successfully completed her training!
residence permit
Despite the training, Ruth was still unsure whether she and her family would receive a residence permit. Her wish was to have her residence permit in hand before the end of her training. In April - a week before the final exam - the letter from the immigration office arrived - a huge relief!
“You said I’m so well integrated,
my husband works, I did an apprenticeship
with two children and I have no problems
made in Germany."
Biggest challenge
Ruth describes the biggest challenge as the compatibility of training and family. Many have doubted that she will be able to do both, as it is difficult to do full-time supermarket training with two children.
“The hardest part was
how can I complete the training
What if I have two children?”
But she had her husband's support. When Ruth worked, Destiny looked after the children and vice versa. It was still extremely difficult. Ruth's morning shift was from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. - she had to get up at 4:00 a.m. Immediately after work she had to pick up her sons from kindergarten - the kindergarten was on the other side of town. If Ruth worked the early shift, her husband worked the late shift. The late shift at the supermarket – 12:00 p.m. – 8:15 p.m. – was a little more relaxed for Ruth. She didn't have to pick up the children from kindergarten - Destiny took care of that.
But the family also mastered this challenge. Now Ruth is looking for a job as a part-time saleswoman.
Future goals
Ruth would like to get a driving license and continue her education in the future.
“At some point I would like to do further training,
to make more money.
But now I'm looking for a part-time job,
until my children are older.”
We are pleased that we were able to accompany Ruth on her impressive journey and continue to be in touch. We are very proud of her and wish her all the best.
November 1, 2022
1. November – It starts
It's time! The Amazon Community Fund 2022 starts and ArrivalAid is part of it.
We have a lot planned together with you until November 29, 2022 Of course, we would like to reach our donation goal of 97,500 euros ArrivalAid 's numerous programs is also secured in the coming year. So talk about us, tell your colleagues and friends about the fundraising campaign! Would you like to donate directly? Click here to support us.
And secondly: We have thought of something special to accompany the campaign. Over the next four weeks, people with refugee experiences will tell the stories of their journey in Germany here in the blog - their challenges and successes. Be excited and make these stories visible to those around you!
We are looking forward to the coming weeks!
