Foundation story September 2021 - Crisis counseling for refugees and migrants
When Shakila Nawazy talks about her work as a refugee counselor, her eyes light up. You can tell that the Afghan-born woman puts her heart and soul into advising her "protégés", helping them or sometimes just listening to them. Her aim is to help those seeking advice to integrate into German society without losing their own cultural identity. Since 2015, she has been successfully self-employed as an entrepreneur with her crisis counseling service for refugees and migrants at the Unternehmerinnen-Zentrum Hannover.
Shakila Nawazy offers individual, couples and family counseling, has her own self-help group, is an interpreter and gives talks throughout Lower Saxony on the topic of integration. Because there is always a great need for information on both sides. Today, she is the legal guardian appointed by the local court for around 70 people who need help in all areas of life. Some of them are severely traumatized, ill and often hopeless - with the fear of being deported again. But Shakila Nawazy stands up for them, organizes demonstrations if necessary and makes sure that they go home with a smile on their faces despite their problems. She provides space for many questions. Where can I find what? How do I behave correctly? Where can I find the right school? And if necessary, she also provides advice on marital problems, right up to divorce.
Shakila, how did the entrepreneurial idea come about?
Shortly after finishing my law degree, I fled from Kabul to Germany with my family because of the civil war and, like almost all refugees, I was left with nothing. I couldn't speak the language, my studies weren't recognized and I wasn't allowed to work. I learned German, passed the German Abitur and was finally able to study. Today, I'm a qualified social pedagogue, social worker and systematic family and social therapist. And of course I also benefit from my law degree. After many years as a consultant for asylum and social law issues, I started my own business in 2015. Since then, I have found my professional home at the Unternehmerinnen-Zentrum Hannover (UZH). The UZH is the central point of contact for female founders and entrepreneurs and supports women in all phases of running a business - from affordable workspace with suitable office infrastructure to access to advisors, relevant contacts and interesting networks. Instead of a typical German conference table, my office has a large, comfortable sofa. There's always tea and sweets. This creates a cozy and almost private atmosphere right from the start. My greatest success? When someone from my circle gets a residence permit. And that is always my goal!
What tips do you have for other female founders?
Believe in yourself and your own abilities! Get the best possible support and ask as many questions as possible.
Contact details:
Crisis counseling for refugees & migrants
Shakila Nawazy
Hohestr. 11
30449 Hanover
Tel. 0511 - 92 4001 23, 92 4001 27
Mobile: 0178/ 5410780
Mail: shakila@krisenberatung-nawazy.com
www.krisenberatung-nawazy.com/
Shakila Nawazy on the cooperation with hannoverimpuls:
I received great support from hannoverimpuls - the Unternehmerinnen-Zentrum has been a subsidiary since 2017 - right from the start. Whether it was advice or funding for rent. I got to know nice people and felt very comfortable here at the UZH right from the start.
Nadine Leibner, Center Manager at the Entrepreneurial Women's Center Hanover about Shakila Nawazy:
The hannoverimpuls Unternehmerinnen-Zentrum Hannover has been offering business management support to female founders and entrepreneurs for over 20 years. We were also able to support Shakila Nawazy with her start-up and are delighted that she has been based with us as a cultural mediator since the beginning of her self-employment.