THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
YANA Berlin will relaunch its services to provide support for asylum-seekers and other new African migrants in the German capital on 1 April. The migrant advisory service, run by the nonprofit German-African Initiative for Development and Integration (GAIDI), operates under the motto “You Are Not Alone in Berlin” (YANA Berlin), offering guidance to ease integration.
Supported for the first time by the Stiftung Berliner Sparkasse, YANA Berlin offers a multifaceted support system, including:
- A dedicated hotline for direct assistance
- A series of online information sessions with experts covering crucial topics such as residency rights, German language courses, job training, employment opportunities and healthcare access
- Online and In-person consultation sessions, providing individualised support and guidance
- A mentoring programme to connect new migrants with long-settled ones
A key objective of YANA Berlin is supporting migrants in acquiring the integration milestones necessary to obtain regular residency.
Many African migrants face bureaucratic hurdles in regularising their stay in Germany, and YANA Berlin provides them with the information and guidance needed to gain access to language courses, training opportunities as well as assisting them to overcome administrative hurdles — all crucial steps toward securing a stable status.
This year, the project receives support from Stiftung Berliner Sparkasse, a foundation dedicated to strengthening Berlin’s social fabric through funding projects in education, social inclusion and humanitarian aid. Since its establishment, the foundation has backed numerous initiatives that improve the lives of vulnerable populations, ensuring access to opportunities, resources and long-term support for those in need.
“We seek to help refugees and asylum-seekers overcome the confusion and uncertainties that characterise a new beginning in a foreign land,” says Femi Awoniyi, project manager. “Our goal is to equip them with the information and knowledge they need to transition to legal residency and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Since its launch in April 2023, YANA Berlin has steadily grown into a trusted hub for African newcomers and those struggling with their residency status. “With the added support of Stiftung Berliner Sparkasse, this new phase of the project will extend its impact even further,” Awoniyi added.
Sola Jolaoso
- YANA Berlin
- Phone/WhatsApp: +49176 84980470
- E-Mail: info@gaidi.de
- Web: www.gaidi.de
