Sparking a passion for sport in refugees
Young refugees are playing new games and sports as part of a three day sports programme.
Former refugees from Nepal, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Palestine are taking part in a programme aimed at helping them make friends and join sports clubs in Palmerston North.
Fusion is a free three-day programme which includes activities and workshops helping settle and connect young people with a refugee background in their new community.
Programme co-ordinator Alex Britton said it was the second year the programme had run in Palmerston North.
About 20 young people would take part playing games of speedball, netball, football, basketball, badminton, rock climbing, as well as being involved in goal making sessions.
‘‘Some of them haven’t played these games before, some of them have. It’s giving them an opportunity to give it a go.’’
They would also take a tour of the Youth Space and Youth Stop One Shop (YOSS) services.
He said the programme allowed them to meet other kids their age, make friends, try new sports and also introduce them to clubs in the city.
Often when families moved to New Zealand they were focused on getting their children into schools, doctors, and settling into the community, and sports clubs were not necessarily a priority, he said.
The programme offered young people the chance to get involved.
Karishma Kafley took part in the programme in 2015.
Karishma moved from Nepal to Palmerston North when she was 10.
Now 17, she said it was hard at first and meeting people could be challenging.
The programme gave her a chance to try a range of games, it was a lot of fun and she got to meet new people, she said.