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Source: ONE News
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.
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