HOW YOU CAN HELP

From teaching an ex-refugee to drive to putting a family up in your home, there are many ways you can give practical help. Once refugees have cleared the immigration process, Red Cross takes over for the first year of resettlement but it needs the help of trained volunteers to welcome refugees, help set up homes, enrol with schools and doctors and to generally acquaint refugees with how life works here. To register as a refugee resettlement support volunteer, donate household items or help give a former refugee a job go to redcross.org.nz

Turning the Curve is a driver training programme for refugee woman. To volunteer or for more programmes run through the ChangeMakers Refugee Forum, including its Refugees in Business programme, go to www.crf.org.nz

To donate to Refugee Trauma Recovery, go to www.refugeetraumarecovery.org.nz. The service gives counselling to survivors of torture, rape and psychological abuse suffered in conflict.

After missing out on about two years of formal education during the Syrian civil war and limbo in Thailand, his children are now content and doing well at school.

‘‘They are so happy, New Zealand is a beautiful country and the people are very kind.’’

But while they find their feet in a foreign land, the family is taking things day by day.

‘‘Every single day is important for a refugee.’’

Go to stuff.co.nz to see the video.