Madiena Fakhri, 30, fled along with a family of eight from Afghanistan to Germany shortly before the Taliban took over the country in 1996. She has three sisters and two brothers – who are currently working as medical doctors and in social field for the German state. For almost four years the family faced setbacks and chaos. Living in a refugee camp in Recklinghausen, “we were the only Afghan family in the camp. We had only two rooms. I remember that the refugee camp was full of criminals. It was hard for my parents to hope for a better future. Despite all the problems, they gave us a wonderful childhood,” she says.

When Madiena was a child, she was scared to go to school, “I did not like going to primary school. I felt excluded because of my background. I could not invite my friends home because I was ashamed of the conditions in the refugee camp.”

Madiena is currently working in a humanitarian aid organization called FRIEDENSDORF INTERNATIONAL – Peace Village International. As a pediatric nurse, “I am responsible for the medical care of the children who come from war and crisis countries such as Afghanistan and Angola.”

Madiena likes the values and norms in Germany, “I like the punctuality. The social state helps with basic needs. In Germany, everyone has the opportunity to get an education and study, regardless of whether they are rich or poor. I think my family is a good example of integration in Germany.” But she does not like the bureaucracy. “It is too slow and inflexible because of immigration politics. This led to slow down the of including refugees in job markets.”

Madiena and her family support Afghan families in Recklinghausen, “We make sure that they have access to education, school and doctors. Some of them have become a close family friend.”

After the Taliban took over Afghanistan in 2021, her family supported many new arrival Afghan families for integration and inclusion in German society. “There is great sympathy and interest in German-Afghan citizens. This enabled me to implement a strong network with politicians and the media. I am currently in close contact with politician Frank Schwabe, and the Afghan-German diaspora.”

From an early age, Madiena felt a close connection to her home country, Afghanistan. “I travelled with my mother to Kabul and Herat. I remember the beautiful landscape and the delicious street foods from Herat. I grew up with Afghan culture so it was not a surprise to me.”

Madiena tells new Afghan arrivals, “You are privileged to grow up in Germany. You have access to education and freedom of expression. Take advantage of this privilege and give something back to Germany. Be role models for others and help them in the integration process. And do not forget to help Afghanistan by any means. If I had a magic wand I would wish for peace in the world and that children were not affected by war and misery. In my job as a development worker, I see every day how children are victims of war and misery. War and misery that is what bothers me the most.”