1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Building new lives in Germany: Volunteers empower migrants

42:34

This browser does not support the video element.

September 16, 2025

Following arrival in Germany, what’s next? Three people help migrants to build a new life. They advise and translate. They create prospects and encourage people. They live for their commitment - and get a lot back.

Ever since Ukrainian Anhelina Leshak moved to southern Germany, she‘s been helping other refugees. She‘s often the first point of contact, for her compatriots in particular: the 22-year-old helps with job searches and tax forms in Trier, gives new arrivals hope in times of war and supports them as they work to gain a foothold in society. In addition to her voluntary work helping refugees and her full-time job, her next big goal is to represent the interests of migrants in politics. Bernd Frietsch also has an open ear for the diverse concerns of migrants. From complicated applications to important medical consultations, already tricky situations can become even greater challenges due to language barriers. The 63-year-old even gave up his job as a bassoonist in the orchestra to work in the migration advice service. His willingness to help knows no bounds, even after work. And sometimes clients become good friends. Entrepreneur Reiner Rudolphi is also dedicated to a project close to his heart: improving the prospects of young people from Rwanda. That‘s why he‘s creating apprenticeships for them in Sembach, in southern Germany. The new skilled workers will not only benefit the German economy, but they will also help industry in Rwanda in the long term. Rudlophi also plans to set up companies there soon to create local jobs. Until then, he aims to show that his trainees are needed - and that they belong.

Skip next section About the show

About the show

DocFilm

Exciting stories, a wide variety of topics, fascinating pictures: every day, half or three-quarters of an hour of carefully researched background reports from the worlds of politics, business, science, culture, nature, history, lifestyle and sport.

Skip next section DW's Top Story

DW's Top Story

Skip next section More stories from DW