For Shekib Nastoh, being there for others is indispensable amid the difficulties of displacement
As a Senior Financial Controller at NIRAS, Shekib Nastoh is more than aware of the value of money. His role is dedicated to ensuring the accuracy of financial data in projects, collaborating with project managers to address budget deviations, providing strategic financial guidance to the team and more. But to him, its value goes beyond profitability, especially in the context of development, a sector that seeks to leave a positive impact on the lives of the disadvantaged.
"Resilience shapes us. Through our actions, we uplift lives and build communities. In honoring my father's legacy, I strive to empower others, believing true success lies in creating a safer, more hopeful world for all.”
Shekib Nastoh
In his early teens, Shekib sometimes visited his grandfather’s home in Badakhashan, Afghanistan. A businessman back then, Shekib’s grandfather would meet with his team to discuss numbers and data, all recorded using pen and paper as this was a time before digital tools were commonplace. In one of these visits, Shekib noticed some of the papers lying around in the house and began reading them, catching his grandfather’s attention. Instead of telling Shekib off, he simply asked his grandson what he thought.
“I was just 12 or 13 years old,” Shekib said, adding that he had immediately understood what the numbers meant. “My grandfather told me, ‘Wow, you’ve given a nice overview of our business data.’ It’s not expected for people that age to provide that kind of information. After that, I helped my grandfather and his business for three or four years.”
This was Shekib’s first foray into financial analysis – in the home of his grandfather who encouraged him to continue this path after finding out his grandson’s innate skill. Before attending university, Shekib gained valuable experience working with a rural microcredit programme and later with a microfinance bank. Eventually, he pursued a programme in accounting and finance in Tajikistan. He then went on to work at GIZ’s Afghanistan office while pursuing a Bachelor’s in business administration, and eventually became the Head of Finance and Administration. It was all thanks to the moment his father and grandfather took notice of Shekib’s knack for numbers.
Years later, Shekib would find himself and his family living in Germany, displaced after the Taliban had returned to power in Kabul in 2021.
Shekib with his wife and children
Leaving Afghanistan, starting over in Germany
It took some time for Shekib and his family to acclimate to their new life in Stuttgart where they arrived as refugees after much difficulty in leaving their homeland. However, he and his wife knew they were well on their way to bouncing back once they moved into their new home, enrolled their kids in school and found work, Shekib’s being at NIRAS.
“It helps to have good colleagues who are willing to collaborate and support you in times of challenges, whether it’s related to the office or not,” Shekib said. Among other things, NIRAS has been helping Shekib by paying for language courses. “Learning German has been difficult, but every day I’m improving,” he said. His situation now is, thankfully, a far cry from the day he had received a message from his former employer, warning about the critical security situation.
“Suddenly, we received an email from GIZ’s security office saying the Taliban were at the doors of Kabul. It was extremely shocking for us,” Shekib shared. “GIZ started collecting data so its employees in Afghanistan could evacuate to Germany. Eventually, the Taliban entered Kabul and took over every place, even government offices.”
Following the instructions of the development agency’s HQ, many of GIZ employees rushed to the airport, but a lot of Afghans were unable to get out on the evacuation flights, including Shekib’s family.
“We waited and stayed hidden in a remote area,” Shekib recalled. “It took a long time to obtain a Pakistan visa, but we got it. There, we had some documents to process before flying to Germany. It was overall a very difficult time, very challenging in terms of security and money. We had many concerns. But fortunately, we could leave.”
The shock took some time to settle for Shekib. “For decades, we built everything there. A house, friendships, family ... lots of memories. If you leave all of that and start from zero, it’s heavy,” he said. Over time, as he moves forward with his life in Germany, Shekib has gotten used to a new routine. He starts his day early by going on a run, then preparing his children’s breakfast alongside his wife. He takes his children to school, mingles with other parents for a short while, then heads for the NIRAS office in Stuttgart. After work, he wraps up his day learning German and doing household chores.
For the most part, Shekib and his family have moved past the terror of 2021. But never has he forgotten his former colleagues and others displaced. Along with several others, every month he organises gatherings among Afghans to provide the practical and emotional support to build a new life.
“For decades, we built everything there. A house, friendships, family ... lots of memories. If you leave all of that and start from zero, it’s heavy.”
Shekib Nastoh
A hint of home in a foreign land
When the Nastohs first arrived in Germany, they were understandably lost and overwhelmed. Not only were they suddenly uprooted from their old life, they were also forced to navigate an unfamiliar environment and culture. However, thanks to the people who took the time to help them, including colleagues at NIRAS, the family is coping and now in a position to support others.
“In this large community, my wife and I volunteer and help people who are not aware of the processes in Germany,” Shekib said. “Some of them had come a long time before, but many aren’t educated as much. It makes the new environment and language more difficult to adjust to.”
The community of displaced Afghans all over Germany comprises over 250 people and counting. Dedicated volunteers are only a handful, tasked with discussing and disseminating solutions to address the larger group’s needs. “I think everyone who faces the challenges here – whether it’s the documents, the processes or even finding a doctor – feels great difficulty and deserves support,” he said.
From small group meetings to large catering events, the community regularly keeps in touch. It helps build a sense of home in a foreign land. “We communicate with each other using our own language to make things easier,” Shekib said. “We also have volunteers who organise their own gatherings in different locations. Sometimes, these are done online, but we mostly try to do them face-to-face. It’s more comforting when we see each other.”
Along with his wife, as well as the Afghan volunteers and Germans, Shekib organised cultural gatherings to celebrate Afghan heritage, with a recent highlight being Badakhshan Day at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart. “This vibrant event brought together the community to honor the rich traditions of Badakhshan, featuring captivating Badakhshani music, traditional dance performances, delicious regional food, and heartfelt poetry. It was a joyous occasion that not only showcased our cultural identity but also strengthened community bonds, allowing us to share the beauty of our heritage with broader audience,” Shekib explains.
Badakhshan Day at the Linden Museum in Stuttgart
A spirit of volunteerism and empathy: What influences Shekib to work in development and at NIRAS
At a young age, Shekib was exposed to people passionate about social good. One of them was his late father, an electrical engineer who provided power to remote communities.
“He dedicated his life to helping people,” Shekib said. “He always told me and my siblings to consider what we do in this life. Would we help people? What would the effect of our work be to those in need?”
As a Senior Finance Controller at NIRAS, Shekib knows that where money is spent counts, even more so in development. “It is not just about profitability,” he said. “We also need to ensure that every euro or dollar contributes in a socially positive way.”
Through the years, Shekib has followed in his father’s footsteps, dedicating his life to projects that uplift others. Like his father, he has also supported building power schemes in remote areas. And beyond his regular role in finance at NIRAS, he is present in other projects, like the Swiss-funded Education to Employment programme in Serbia, sharing his knowledge and skills where they are needed. “Working in the development sector is an opportunity to make a tangible difference,” he added.
Thankful that he and his family are now in a good place, Shekib dreams of the same life for others who are struggling, hoping for peace among families and communities that have yet to feel safe.
“Resilience shapes us,” he says. “Through our actions, we uplift lives and build communities. In honoring my father's legacy, I strive to empower others, believing true success lies in creating a safer, more hopeful world for all.”
“It is not just about profitability, we also need to ensure that every euro or dollar contributes in a socially positive way ... Working in the development sector is an opportunity to make a tangible difference.”
