TVNZ
Friday, February 03, 2012
Former refugees have dug in to help Christchurch's eastern
suburbs.
Six young people, from Afghanistan, Colombia, Djibouti and
Somalia, spent this week visiting Parklands residents and
shovelling coal to raise money for a trust running youth programmes
in the area.
Refugee Services Hamilton area manager Rachel O'Connor, who
organised the trip, said the six young Waikato men and women jumped
at the chance to do something for Christchurch.
"The refugee community was active in fundraising and supporting
families from Christchurch. They have a lot of sympathy for the
people of Christchurch," she said.
Momina Ali, 24, who migrated to Waikato from Djibouti, said she
wanted to do something for the country that has given so much to
her.
"I realise how hard it is to leave everything behind. It's sad
to see people having to move, which is something we all did," she
said.
"They reminded me of myself about 10 years ago. I know how it
feels to have to start again. It's hard," she said.
Sabira Nouri, 22, originally from Afghanistan, said she wanted
to help.
"I wasn't born here, but I'm a New Zealand citizen now. What
happened in Christchurch affects all of us, and I wanted to be part
of providing help," she said.
"We may not be able to make a huge difference, but even putting
a smile on the face of someone who's been going through this tough
time is still something."
The group had contacted the Youth Alive Trust, asking if there
was anything it could do to help eastern Christchurch
residents.
"They thought they would be digging silt," said trust team
leader James Ridpath.
"I told them most of the silt was gone, but ANZ had donated a
lot of coal they no longer needed for heating, so they could help
with shovelling the coal."
The coal would be sold to raise funds for the trust, which
offers many youth programmes for young people in the eastern
suburbs.
After last February's earthquake, the trust helped operate a
quake hub that at its peak fed 10,000 people a day.