More locals step up to help stranded migrants

A Christchurch mother who came to the aid of two struggling migrant workers is about to make a second trip to Queenstown to help another.

Kelly Phillips, a 41-year-old mother-oftwo and law student, opened her home to Luz Guevara and her friend David Mamani, both from Peru, after reading about Guevara’s plight on Stuff.

The pair have been living with Phillips, her partner and her 5-year-old son since May 30, helping with childcare and chores after they were made redundant from their hospitality jobs in Queenstown.

Phillips said several people had contacted her to offer help to migrants stuck in Queenstown, inspired by her efforts that were reported in Stuff on Saturday.

‘‘One lady contacted me who said she wanted to help, and she had a room for someone. She is a migrant from the United States and said as long as they didn’t mind her noisy birds, they were welcome.’’

The pair were planning to drive to Queenstown next week to collect a Colombian migrant who needed help. Guevara had connected them, she said.

‘‘The reaction has been very warm, kind. I knew there would be other people out there wanting to help. I really just hope the immigration minister will use his discretionary powers to make their visas more flexible, so they can support themselves. David and Luz are such hard workers and I can see sometimes they feel so demoralised.’’

Another Christchurch woman, who declined to be named, said she approached Phillips wanting to help.

‘‘We are in the process of looking for someone. It’s such a great thing to do. We have hosted foreigners in the past and really enjoy the cultural aspect, especially for the children.’’

The woman, in her 30s with a set of young twins and 9-month-old, and said the person would become part of the family while they lived together.

‘‘I would love one today. It’s a bit like a work exchange. They become part of your family and help around the house and are an extra pair of hands with the kids. It’s nice for them to have a different cultural experience as well. I think it works well for everyone.’’

Many migrants were professionals who had come to New Zealand for overseas work experience, she said. ‘‘I think people expect when you come to a country you will have enough financial resources to support yourself but I think there has to be more understanding going on. They don’t have an endless pot of gold, and they have come here to support themselves.’’