Auckland Refugee Graduation - September 2016

Last topic in class before graduation, with local police officer
reminding students to stay safe online.

The newest graduates of the RYAN Centre intake enjoyed their celebration Saturday, 24 September.  The graduation was attended with representatives from the Ministry of Education, Red Cross and families of the graduates.

The graduates were quite excited, and although few in number, they were hearty in their thank-yous.  

Congratulations to all of our families - enjoy the fruit of your training and the opportunities ahead,

Our lovely translator and a new graduate.
In his thank you address, he shared "Just as we have been helped as refugees,
 let us do better to help other refugees that come, help the place that we live".

Palmerston North Graduation November 2016

WELL DONE!

Another fantastic turn out for our wonderful graduating families at Freyberg High School on the 26th of November.

7 families completed the Computers in Homes programme and were very happy to be able to take their computers home and continue on their learning journey.

Freyberg High School have been great hosts as always and we had such a wonderful time celebrating another successful programme.

Many thanks to Sonja De Lange from (Red Cross), Gina Gonzales, (Ministry of Education), Dave Clark (Icona), and to our wonderful interpreters and especially coordinator Deven Rai and Tutor Doug Strachan.

We all look forward to meeting with the new families in 2017.

NELSON

Well done Nelson refugee Computers in Homes programme.

This month Victory Community Center in Nelson hosted a wonderful Computer in Homes graduation for 16 families.

Our beautiful singers

What a wonderful evening it was with all the families completing the 30 hour Computer training programme at Victory School.

A special thanks to all out interpreters who have supported these families and also to Helen Taylor-Young at Victory school and Dianne Goodwin.

We were treated with some amazing singing, dancing and two very special speeches which included some poetry.

We know that these families will continue to develop their computer skills here in Aotearoa and we wish them all the best for their continued learning.

Cutting the cake

CiH Refugee Programme begins in Dunedin

There was much excitement at Carisbrook School today. It was the start of the first CiH Refugee class in Dunedin. The Syrian group  arrived in the city in April this year.  http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/79216308/syrian-refugees-arrive-in-new-home-of-dunedin

Palmerston North refugee CiH training 2016

Palmerston North refugee families began their training last month and have been working hard on learning how to use a computer and internet to be able to engage with their families overseas and also how to learn more about the people of their new home here in Palmerston North and New Zealand.

What a wonderful group of Afghan families.  We are very privileged to be able to engage and assist with their learning journey.

What's happening in Nelson?

TRAINING AT VICTORY SCHOOL NELSON

The enthusiasm and delight shows on the faces of the fifteen families attending CIH training at Victory School across August and September 2016. Di Daniels joined them during their first week to welcome them to the programme and explain the internet options, as well as to highlight the intentions and benefits of Computers in Homes as funded by the Ministry of Education. 

We think these are some of the best training photos we have gathered and wish to thank the families and trainers for their generous smiles! Thanks to the expertise of local trainers, interpreters and family liaison visitors from the Nepali, Burmese, Chin and Karan communities in Nelson, the families are well supported for the next steps in their resettlement journey in Nelson. Thanks to Dhan and Mary for their careful tutorage of the parents and the whole Victory team who take care of enrolments, child care, transport, refreshments and home support.

We could not do our work without you. The collegial friendships we have formed are truly treasured.

Training at Victory School - Nelson on PhotoPeach

WELCOMING NEW ARRIVALS TO NELSON

What a pleasant surprise to be at Nelson Airport to witness the welcome for newly arrived families, fresh from their 6 weeks’ orientation at Mangere Refugee Centre. Red Cross and Victory School support staff were on hand, as well as many of the current CIH trainees and other families from the Nelson refugee community, all waiting excitedly to welcome newly arrived families flying in from Auckland. There were emotional reunions as some were seeing family members for the first time in many years. This is why access to the internet and reliable hardware in the home are so important in the resettlement process. Nau mai haere mai ki te Whanāunga Rerenga.

Welcome to Nelson on PhotoPeach

Palmerston North Refugee Graduation June 2016

Another successful refugee Computers in Homes programme was celebrated in Palmerston North on the 25th of June 2016.  Five refugee families graduated in style as they completed their computer training at Freyberg High School.  Most of the families had little to no knowledge of how to use a computer and they all worked very hard to make the most of the training.

Thank you to Sonja De Lange from Red Cross for presenting the families with their certificates.

From left:  Dave Clark (Icona Tech), Doug Strachn (Trainer),  Adasullah Rezei (Red Cross),  Cr Adrian Broad (Palmerston North City Council), Gina Gonzalez (MOE), Sonja De Lange (Red Cross) Wendy Jochem (Associate Principal Freyberg High Scool),   Cr Tangi Utikere (Palmerston North City Council),  Burmese Family Interpreter & Deven Rai (Freyberg Refugee Family Coordinator).

We were very fortunate to have a supportive group come along to celebrate with all of the families.