Refugee Program
Christ the King has a long tradition of helping people in transition. Initially, this help was focused on so-called “returnees”, you can learn more about this work on our page Heimkehrer Ministry.
With the escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine in 2022, we began helping more and more refugees arriving in Germany. As an English-speaking community which is well networked in local society, we are uniquely positioned to help such people in transition, e.g. by understanding their needs and then directing them toward respective resources in Germany.
Thanks to a grant provided by the Episcopal Church, our “mother” church in the USA, we have been able to provide an increasing number of refugees with practical help, e.g. in the form of covering certain legal costs. Learn more about the Convocation Refugee Grant Program (CRGP).
In order to help us support more refugees and other people in transition, we are seeking to supplement this grant money with additional funds. When making a donation, please refer to “Project 15” so your money will be allocated exclusively to our Refugee Program. If you would like a tax receipt, please write an email to office@christ-the-king.net
Third-country nationals
Half a million third-country nationals (TCNs) were living in Ukraine when the war initiated by Russia escalated. Around 300,000 TCNs have left since the crisis began, with many forced to face shifting security situations, complicated transit routes, and conflicting or unclear information.
Not everyone who fled Ukraine has the same chance of staying in a European Union country. In Germany, the interim solution for non-Ukrainian refugees without a visa ended in 2025. Only three German states have found transitional arrangements so far. This has thrust precious people who have become our friends into a very challenging situation.
Our church members, Jutta, Silvia, and Anja, work tirelessly advocating for and assisting a group of young people who find themselves in this complicated situation. It has been a blessing getting to know them and help them in many small ways. They have been deeply touched by the love they have received from Christ the King.
The majority of the people we have been helping are TCNs who were studying at universities in Ukraine. The war may have interrupted their studies but it did not destroy their dreams. Here are the stories of some of these people we have helped.
Fatemeh Sadat AHSAN-ESFAHANI
Born in 2000 in Iran.
Studied medical technology in Iran for 2 years.
Studied medicine in Ukraine for 1 year.
Studied 1 year online in Germany at the Ukraine Uni Medicine.
Currently learning C1-level German.
How we have helped:
We have helped Fatemeh Sadat obtain her university certificates from Ukraine and have them recognized in Germany so she can apply to German universities for medicine and related subjects.
Vselsav AMETOV
Born in 1995 in Russia.
Worked as a civil engineer in Russia.
Worked in the largest advertising agency in Ukraine in social media.
Studying IT online at a university in Ukraine in order to get a stay in the IT field as a career changer.
Currently learning B1-level German.
How we have helped:
We have helped Vselsav with legal costs to obtain residency in accordance with Paragraph 24 of Germany’s Residence Act.
Teymur MUSTAFAYEV
Born in 1990 in Azerbaijan.
Studied teaching (Geography + History) in Azerbaijan.
Was in Ukraine for work on a work visa.
Would like to improve IT knowledge in order to get a stay in IT as a career changer. Has no money for IT courses.
Currently learning B1-level German.
How we have helped:
We have helped Teymur with legal costs to obtain residency in accordance with Paragraph 24 of Germany’s Residence Act.
Badr SAFRAOUI
Born 01/12/2001 in Morocco (22 years)
Studied dentistry in Ukraine for 2 years
Wanted to continue his studies here, but he has to move quickly to another place for training.
We are looking for an apprenticeship as a dental assistant (requirement B1)
Stay: In Danger
He has a lawyer
German: Currently learning B1
Zakariae ES-SAYD
Born 08/26/2001 in Morocco (21 years)
Studied pharmacology in Ukraine for 2 years
Wanted to continue his studies, but he has to quickly move to another place for training.
He has found an apprenticeship as a nurse (requirement B1)
Stay: In Danger
He has a lawyer who is just applying for residency for training.
German: Currently learning B1
Saman SHABANKAREH
Born 09.03.1992 in Iran (31 years)
Studied medicine in Ukraine for 5 years
Wants to be a doctor.
He needs a PJ (practical year) to complete his studies in Ukraine.He would have to do his PY here as an exchange student. During this time he will not receive any money from the job center.
We’re looking for room for PJ for him.
Whereabouts: Unknown, in danger
German: Currently learning B1
Oksana MISHYNA
Born on February 20th, 1999 in the Ukraine (24 years)
Lost her parents when she was two years old.
She has been working since she was 14 years old.
Wants to be a nurse or a potter.
Stay: Clarified
German: Currently learning B1
Amjad SANDY
Born 09/16/1994 in Morocco (29 years)
Studied mechatronics in Morocco (technical school)
Studied hotel management in Morocco
Came to work in Ukraine
Stay: tolerated, in danger
Wanted to continue his studies here, but he has to quickly switch to another place for training (mechatronics engineer)
German: Currently learning B1
He has a lawyer
He lives in a shared apartment, but the job center doesn’t pay for the room because he has a residential security requirement
Anastasia KHAVROSHYNA
I was born on July 26th, 2002 in Ukraine (21 years old)
I would like to study architecture in Darmstadt
Stay: clarified
German: I am currently learning B1
My dream: I Ukraine medicine
I studied 1 year online in Germany
Natalia PRUDKA
I was born on September 2nd, 2002 in the Ukraine, Berdyansk (20 years)graduated in Ukraine (Bachelor Finance, Banking and Insurance)
My whereabouts: clarified
I am currently studying IT online at a university in Ukraine in order to get a placement in the IT field as a career changer
German: I am currently learning B1
My dream: To have a house in Cyprus together with Vseslav and to work in IT
B.
(Name not written out for security reasons)
Born on January 1st, 1999 in Afghanistan
Lives in Germany since the end of 2015
Arrived as an unaccompanied youth with no family.
His family lives in Afghanistan and we are trying to bring them to Germany with federal government programs
Works and supports his family, but the money is not enough
Lost his brother in March 2023
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