News

Makuei Aken

Makuei Aken, the recipient of Arts Access Aotearoa’s Big ‘A’ Winton and Margaret Bear Young Artist Award 2011, was one of four writers who took part in a panel discussion in November, organised by the Wellington branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors to recognise Courage Day.  Click here to read the article in the Arts Access Aotearoa "Keeping in Touch community e-news"

Terefe Ejigu

Terefe Ejigu aged 23 years, is a former refugee originally from Ethiopia who has lived in Wellington since he was 13. After winning many distance running titles in NZ and attending Victoria University he gained a study and athletics scholarship to East Michigan University in the USA. These photos show some recent success in cross country. He is also doing well academically. WNRAS helped him and his family get him to the USA. WNRAS is very proud of his achievements.

WNRAS Recognises Supporters

At this year's AGM, WNRAS presented 3 awards to  individuals - Donna Roy (Massage Therapist),  Angela Aye (Book Author), Marie Christeller (Porirua Community Union Health), and 3 awards to organisations -Wellington Community Law Centre, Newtown Union Health Service and the Refugee Family Reunification Trust; to recognise outstanding service and support. The Mayor of Wellington Celia Wade-Brown presented the awards.

Refugee Safety and Wellbeing Day

The Refugee Communities Safety and Wellbeing day was held on 19 October 2011. Over 20 organisations (including the  Wellington City Council, NZ Police, NZ Fire Service, and Emergency Preparedness) were involved in presenting this day for all refugees. ACC and WNRAS were the lead agencies. Well done to Samson for all his work organising this event along with Jo Vilipaama from ACC and special thanks to Compass Health for their grant to fund the day's activities.

Over two hundred refugee families of different ethnicities and cultures came to learn about how they could access various services and resources to help with their safety and wellbeing. Some of the activities included  live demonstrations, massage, cultural dances. and story reading and face painting for the children.

FICT Programme launched

The Families in Cultural Transition programme has been piloted in Lower Hutt and Porirua for the Burmese Communities. Prior to that a programme for bilingual facilitators was held with Mohamed Dukuly from STARTTS Sydney, Australia. Click on Programmes and Services for details.

Tamariki Kahukura delivered in Nelson

Recently the very successful Tamariki Kahukura programme was delivered to students at Victory School in Nelson. the group of 9-12 year olds was made up of students from Burma and Bhutan and involved all their parents as well. Joy Wilson the WNRAS Programmes and Services Coordinator delivered the programme and works very closely with staff at Victory School in particular Dianne Goodwin and the bilingual liaison workers Sue Laya and Beda Dahal. The next programme is being planned for Porirua in the 4th term of 2011. Click on Programmes and Services for details. Click on Programmes and Services for details

Authors recognised

The 8 authors who wrote short stories and poems for the WNRAS published book "Beyond the Dark Journey" have received considerable media recognition over the last few months. These include:

• Asia Down Under shown on TV, and included 4 of the authors plus WNRAS staff. Click here to watch the TV episode

• Articles in Community Newspapers.

• Makuei Aken won a Big A award for "Young Artist" from Art Access Aotearoa. Following this award Makuei was interviewed on Katherine Ryan's show 9 to Noon on Radio NZ and Access Radio click here to listen to the interview as well as a feature article in the Dominion Post. Click here to read the article

• Another TV programme - "TV stories" is currently being made and will involve all 8 authors. Click here for details

Makuei Aken receiving his award