STELP: When was your first point of contact with STELP?
Iris: My first contact or access was actually Serkan, but that was long before STELP was called STELP. Back then, the name Balkan route didn’t even exist. In 2015, television was constantly broadcasting images and the famous words from our Angie: “We can do it…” about the large influx of refugees. At the time, I read an article in the Stuttgarter Zeitung about a young man sitting on a couch with two friends. This young man was Serkan. In the article, he talked about how terrible the three of them found the situation. They decided to open another beer. After a few more beers, Serkan decided not to open another beer, but to actually do something and collect donations to go to Greece. I followed his call for donations and that’s how we came together.
Serkan was actually the reason why I signed up to Facebook back then. Because I really wanted to know how he was doing on his way to Greece.
STELP: What motivated you to get involved with STELP or NATAN?
Iris: There is simply no other way. I am one of the blessed people who are doing so well in life and have the task and opportunity to give back and look after those who are not doing so well. This doesn’t just apply to STELP, but also to my attitude and my actions when I walk through the streets of Stuttgart. There is always a bakery open to buy food for someone sitting on the street.
STELP: Which aid project is particularly close to your heart?
Iris: For me, there is no specific project, but rather the opportunity to help with confidence. The trust and the knowledge that 100% of the input reaches those in need on the ground is reason enough. This is also made possible by us partners, who finance the organizational support with our donations.
STELP: Why are you also involved in NATAN?
Iris: Als ich vor drei Jahren nach langjähriger Tätigkeit als Schulleiterin einer großen Sonderschule in einem sozialen Brennpunkt in Stuttgart in den Ruhestand ging it was clear that I wanted to support Serkan in his newly opened bar NATAN.
I financed my studies decades ago by working in a pub, so it’s back to my roots. The feeling of being part of this NATAN family fulfills me every day anew and enriches my life immensely.
As Head of Volunteers, Fabi, our Operations Manager, and I have created a very well-functioning onboarding system. This helps new volunteers to quickly familiarize themselves with the work at NATAN and to be well equipped for the requirements of a catering business.
It gives me great satisfaction when I see our volunteers coming to NATAN highly motivated after their daily work to complete their shifts.
It is also incredibly nice when our guests give us the feedback that we are the friendliest restaurant team in Stuttgart.
STELP: What was your most formative STELP moment?
Iris: My most memorable moment was indeed this year’s STELP Gala. Being there and being able to experience how so many people work together as a team and collect donations in one night was simply incredibly moving.
