TIO -Team

Our team consists of women with many years of professional experience and professional qualifications. All TIO e.V. employees are migrants themselves.

Our teammembers are:

N. Kurun, A. Stengel, N. Nujic, I. Tishkina und M. Morina

General principle of TIO e.V.

TIO e.V. was founded in 1984 as a charitable association in Kiel. The aim of the association is to culturally and socially support migrant women without any restriction concerning their origin, age, religion or political affiliation in Germany. TIO aims to improve the lives of migrant women.

The charity prioritizes to work with girls and women. It focuses on building self-confidence and social inclusion. On a public level, T. I. O. aims to represent social and political interests of migrant women in order to work towards an improvement of their living conditions.

In addition, an intercultural opening to the majority society is also aimed. Furthermore an openness towards women, tolerance, democratic participation and social responsibility are at the base of the work of T. I. O. e.V.
The realization of these aims occur through our offers which can also vary according to demand and development.

The work at T. I. O. e.V. is marked by special diversity.  Nevertheless, the focus lies predominantly on the educational work and consultation work, as well as on the public relations and networking.
T. I. O. is a member of the equal welfare association named ‘Paritätischen’. Besides, the association T. I. O. is linked up for the purpose of technical strengthening by the exchange of information and cooperation with different associations, institutions and unions. This takes place mainly at two levels. These are on the one hand other institutions from the area of the migration work (consultation and education) and on the other hand professional facilities for women.

T. I. O. is financed by public allowances, membership fees, donations and payment for services. The appropriate and lawful use of finances are controlled by internal and external check. We offer a high quality service. It is assured by continuous quality development. The association has consciously decided on women with migration backgrounds to work for and with other migrant women. Through personal experience of migration the women have more understanding of resettlement-related problems and can thus better represent the interests of migrant women and are credible. This has been confirmed by many years of experience.

T. I. O. offers telephone and personal consultation and support for all situations of migrant women. Active participation in society is precisely the fear of many women, coupled with powerlessness and apathy which needs to be broken. The women are encouraged to be responsible, develop their own needs and interests and to use their own initiative. In most cases this is contrary to the patriarchal cultural traditions of the countries of which they are shaped. The relationship and trust in cross-cultural understanding and the possibility of a consultant client plays an essential role. This is both an opportunity for the client to speak in their mother tongue, as well as the background knowledge of the consultant. This is of great importance because it creates on both sides security, acceptance, indicates an interest and a sense of familiarity.
The education provides the immigrant women, who want to live their lives and be responsible to the requirements of society, businesses and everyday life questions, a chance to integrate into the local community.
Depending on the target group T.I.O. offers suitable educational programs, and focuses, as close as possible, on the needs of migrant women to close possible gaps in education.
Since migrant women with children are more disadvantaged to attend such courses, TIO offers childcare for children under 3 years on site. This accommodates the women’s needs and assures that there are no obstacles in the way of the women reaching their full potential.
T.I.O. consists of a very competent, flexible and motivated team of full-time employees. They work on a fee basis and have many years of professional experience. Our team distinguishes itself by a high intercultural ability, besides, our employees bring their own migration experiences which is of benefit for our work at all levels. T. I. O. is not only a meeting place but also a place where cultural diversity is lived daily. T.I.O. bases its work on a concept for “Successful learning”. The participants learn independently and self-determined to extend their knowledge and skill. The women draw courage and motivation for further learning.

Definition for successful learning:

T. I. O. offers the framework for successful learning by providing a meeting place for migrant women. Thus, for example, the weekly women’s breakfast gives women the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas/thoughts and opinions on certain issues. The subjects are usually chosen by the women themselves, they can meet with service users from different cultural backgrounds and exchange. Over this exchange of contact and information opportunities, women can work together to develop and practice everyday coping skills.
They reinforce each other and learn from each other.
Another possibility is the use of a room. This can be for self-organized meetings or learning sessions around the computer and internet.
The women learn together and develop a curiosity about unfamiliar topics.
Learning is then successful, for the service and for the users, if the women continue to evolve and study. Their learning can then be implemented into daily life and can thus integrate into society and their local community.

Definition of single language levels :

General definition:
The Common European Framework defines and specifies the learning goals which are to be achieved. Moreover, learning is successful when learners can speak the language and are able to understand it. This, in effect allows the women to act independently in their daily lives and circumstances.

Women integration courses from the Federal Office for migration and refugees (BAMF). 
The participants have completed the basic stage, with 600 or 900 teaching units and achieved level B1 of the European Framework of Reference for Languages.
They have acquired a “German Certificate” through the successful completion of the exam. With the subsequent orientation course with 60 lessons “Living in Germany” they are informed of the significant structures of German society.