No more having to walk in the rain

Some might see a driver licence as a right of passage, and for a group of Palmerston North refugees, the significance cannot be understated.

On Monday, the Red Cross celebrated the graduation of 15 refugees from its 16-week driving programme, resulting in several of them attaining their restricted licence.

For Aung Myo of Myanmar, and Buddhi Man Rai of Bhutan, having a licence meant no longer having to walk in the rain.

Both were very happy to have a licence and said they would be able to use their new skill to help their families more.

Palmerston North Constable Nigel Swadel mentored Myo and said the look on his face at graduation made it worth all the time.

‘‘When he got his licence I felt over the moon, he was so grateful.

‘‘He was always eager to learn which made my job a whole lot easier.’’

Swadel said he signed up as an opportunity to help out in the community and had already signed on to be a mentor again.

Human Rights Commission race relations strategic advisor Rakesh Naidoo congratulated the refugees on their accomplishment.

‘‘There are few memories we all cherish in life, one of those we’ll never forget is the day we get our licence.’’

He commented on the relationship between the mentors and their charges and said spending time in a car together managed to transcend language barriers.

‘‘It allows us as a community to get to know one another a bit better.’’

Refugee and Protection Unit senior business advisor Geraldine Tew said it had been a privilege to have been involved with the project.