Karting a hit for refugees
The first time behind the wheel of a car for 12 refugee women began with staring down the length of a race track.
While some careened off, hoping for the best, others slowly manouevred their go-kart along the painted yellow lines. These were the ones who had been in a car before.
Hamilton Blastacars staff pulled out all the stops, including stop signs, to allow each of the women a few laps around the indoor track.
And although there were crashes, breakdowns, and confusion, Passport 2 Drive manager Tania Pointon said the group was ‘‘ready to give it a go’’.
The women are all from Afghanistan and Pointon said driving their own car had been a distant thought for many of them.
‘‘We’re giving them the opportunity to make decisions, which is what driving is all about.
‘‘And for a lot of these women, some decisions used to be made for them or taken away from them.’’
The idea has been piloted by English Language Partners, an agency at the Waikato Migrant Resource Centre.
The women are in the middle of a 10-week road code training class, which helps them prepare to sit for a learner licence.
From there, they can take part in a driver training programme, with the goal of gaining a restricted licence.
Pointon said 49 participants had got a restricted licence, and nine had gone on to secure a full licence.
‘‘We thought it would be a great idea to introduce the ladies to early spatial awareness. Braking, turning and just moving forward.’’
For many of the women, it was their first time manoeuvring a vehicle and Pointon said they were not aware that turning the steering wheel would turn the kart, or that they would have to brake to stop.
‘‘It’s something our kids would know, because from an early age they are watching. - Fairfax NZ