Language Café “Begegnung”

With the support of the German Foundation for Civic Engagement and Volunteering, the language café project “Encounter” was realized in Berlin – a series of eight meetings that brought migrant women together in a friendly and safe atmosphere. The meetings took place in the pavilion of the AWO (Workers’ Welfare Association) at Hofackerzeile 1B and evolved beyond simply offering German language courses, becoming a vibrant space for exchange, support, and integration. Participants with German skills at level A2+ practiced their German in relaxed conversation under the professional guidance of teacher and translator Anna Alsheva, enjoying coffee and homemade pastries. Thanks to this format, many were able to overcome the language barrier, shed their fear of making mistakes, and use the language more confidently in everyday life. At the same time, an open exchange developed in which the women shared their experiences with integration and the cultural aspects of life in Germany, supporting one another. Each meeting was made special by the participants’ contributions – their openness, their stories, and the homemade treats created an atmosphere of well-being and trust. The project thus became an important step towards integration through direct exchange and mutual support. We are very grateful to the foundation for the opportunity to implement this initiative and to all participants for their commitment and warmth. The project has concluded, but we continue to work on new initiatives to support Ukrainians in Germany.