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. Your donation to our “SHARE THE LOVE Project 15” will be allocated exclusively to our Refugee Program. You will automatically be provided with a tax receipt (Zuwendungsbescheinigung) for donations of €300 or more when you pay via PayPal. If you use a credit/debit card without logging into PayPal, please write an email to office@christ-the-king.net to request a tax receipt.
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.
Has attainted C1-level German and is currently studying Life Sciences at Goethe University Frankfurt.
How we have helped:
We helped Fatemeh Sadat obtain her university certificates from Ukraine and have them recognized so she can study at a German university. We also helped her get scholarship money to study and paid for diverse test and university fees. We are currently accompanying her to German authorities to help her obtain residency.
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.
He is currently working in a manufacturing company in Germany and hopes to find work in event management.
Has obtained B1-level German.
How we have helped:
We helped Vselsav with legal costs to avoid deportation and obtain asylum in Germany. We have also helped him get on his feet by paying a rent deposit and other extraordinary costs he has been confronted with. We also help him with regular travel and food costs, as needed.
Teymur MUSTAFAYEV
Born in 1990 in Azerbaijan.
Studied teaching (Geography + History) in Azerbaijan.
Was in Ukraine for work on a work visa.
Currently working as a teacher in an education facility for socially vulnerable youth.
Has obtained B2-level German.
How we have helped:
We helped Teymur with legal costs to avoid deportation. We pay for the official translation and recognition of his school and university transcripts in order for him to be able to work as a teacher in Germany. We also helped him with travel and food costs in unstable times.
Badr SAFRAOUI
Born in 2001 in Morocco.
Studied dentistry in Ukraine for 2 years.
Is currently training as a dental assistant in Germany.
Has had obtained B1-level German.
How we have helped:
We have paid for legal costs for his residency status and translations of university transcripts. He receives regular travel money from us for local transport.
Zakariae ES-SAYD
Born in 2001 in Morocco.
Studied pharmacology in Ukraine for 2 years.
Currently training as a nurse and additionally working as a mobile home care helper.
Has obtained B2-level German.
How we have helped:
We have provided him with furnishing for his living quarters in a time of great need. We helped him find his apprenticeship position. We also supported him morally with regular person-to-person talks.
Saman SHABANKAREH
Born in 1992 in Iran.
Studied medicine in Ukraine for 5 years.
He has qualified to complete is medical studies in Germany and is dealing various bureaucratic hurdles. Currently working as an assistant at a medical practice.
He has obtained C1-level German.
How we have helped:
We have covered costs for the translation and recognition of his educational and professional credentials. In times of status instability, we assisted with emergency funds for food and travel.
Oksana MISHYNA
Born in 1999 in Ukraine.
Lost her parents when she was two years old.
She has been working since she was 14 years old.
Currently working as a server in a café as is looking for an opportunity to train as a nurse.
Has obtained B2-level German.
How we have helped:
We helped her find an apartment and get it furnished. She has appreciated the community and support provided by our program.
Amjad SANDY
Born in 1994 in Morocco.
Studied mechatronics in Morocco (technical school) and hotel management in Morocco
Came to work in Ukraine.
Currently training as a hospitality manager.
Has obtained B1-level German.
How we have helped:
We helped with legal costs to avoid deportation. We helped him find and furnish an apartment, including help with paying rent in times of need. We have also helped with personal crisis support, especially when paperwork was not moving forward with the authorities.
Anastasia KHAVROSHYNA
Born in 2002 in Ukraine.
Currently studying architecture in Leipzig.
She has obtained C1-level German.
How we have helped:
We helped her find an apartment and get it furnished. She quickly found her way into a stable life situation thanks to our help.
Help us grow our Refugee Program!
Every donation helps and will go exclusively to support people like these.
Your donation goes through the PayPal account of Christ the King. Our refugee fundraising initiative is called “SHARE THE LOVE Project 15”. Since Christ the King is a registered “Verein” in Germany, we can provide you with a tax receipt (Zuwendungsbescheinigung). You will receive one automatically for donations of €300 or more when you pay via PayPal. If you use a credit/debit card without logging into PayPal, please write an email to office@christ-the-king.net to provide us with your address and request a tax receipt.