Nataliia and Ingeus Germany
Before the war, Nataliia Kurachova's life felt secure.
She had a home, a job she loved and her family close by.
"Before the war, everything in my life was stable. My home, my work, the work that I loved, my children. Everything was great until the war began."
Like many people forced to leave their country, Nataliia arrived in Germany carrying uncertainty and worry about what would come next.
She was also carrying a mother's fear as her son remained in Ukraine, serving as a soldier.
"My son is fighting in Ukraine," she says.
"We text each other, sometimes hardly at all. He just sends me a plus sign or a smiley, and I know it means, 'Mom, everything is okay.'"
The long periods without contact were especially hard.
"It is very hard when there is no contact. Then all my thoughts are with him."
Trying to build a new life in a new country brought challenges of its own.
At first, Nataliia did not speak German and had no clear path into employment.
When she first came to Ingeus Germany, Employment Consultant Natallia Maksimava could see how overwhelmed she felt.
"When Ms. Kurachova came to Ingeus, she was completely lost," Natallia says.
"She had no German skills, no application documents, no certificates, no references, no employment records and no qualifications."
Natallia understood the barriers her participant was facing.
"I know this feeling well. When you speak with Germans, you feel completely stupid if German is not your native language."
"When Ms. Kurachova came to Ingeus, she was completely lost," Natallia says.
"She had no German skills, no application documents, no certificates, no references, no employment records and no qualifications."
Natallia understood the barriers her participant was facing.
"I know this feeling well. When you speak with Germans, you feel completely stupid if German is not your native language."
Instead of focusing on obstacles, they worked together step by step.
Natallia helped create a professional application photo, a modern CV and a strong cover letter.
They practised phone conversations, interview skills and self-presentation.
They also connected with employers willing to give people from migrant backgrounds an opportunity.
One of those employers was Roman Hoffmann from Betreuungsdienst Aktiv, a company that supports older people in their daily lives.
For Roman, the partnership with Ingeus made a real difference.
"I found working with Ingeus and Ms. Maksimava very positive," he says. "We exchange information regularly.”
With the right support, Nataliia secured a job she enjoys.
Work brought more than a paycheck. It gave her confidence, routine and a sense of belonging.
It also gave her something else she needed during an incredibly difficult time.
"When you sit at home within four walls and constantly think, 'How is it there? What is happening there?' it becomes very difficult," she says.
"But when you go to work, at least you can distract yourself a little."
Today, Nataliia is building a new chapter of her life while continuing to support her family from afar.
She knows there will still be challenges ahead, but she no longer faces them alone.
Looking back on her journey, she sums up the impact of employment and support in just a few words.
"You could say that Ingeus is like a lifeline for me."