Young migrants enjoying their summer programme
SINGING and dancing kept 20 former refugees going as they embarked on a tiki tour around Dunedin monuments yesterday afternoon.
The former refugees, from Syria and Palestine, visited Signal Hill, the Railway Station and Baldwin St as part of their Youth Refugee Summer Programme.
The programme was created last year by Red Cross.
Supported by the Ministry of Education and training organisation English Language Partners, it runs from early December until February.
Red Cross youth worker Eman Ghandour said the programme’s members were aged 1120 and included adolescents who had lived in New Zealand for between four weeks and one year.
The programme taught members to speak English but Miss Ghandour spoke fluent Arabic, supporting those in the early stages of learning.
Guest speakers told the young people about bullying and school and tertiary education options.
They were also taught to play rugby, netball and soccer.
Miss Ghandour said the programme supported former refugees in ‘‘every way possible’’.
The programme had grown from seven members to 20 this year.
Kings High School pupil, Bashar Albdewi (17) had returned for his second year.
Bashar arrived in New Zealand 18 months ago, not knowing how to speak English.
When speaking to the Otago Daily Times yesterday, Bashar was fluent in English and had ‘‘made lots of friends’’ as a result of the programme.
He ‘‘absolutely loved’’ the programme, which helped him complete NCEA level one, learn to play futsal and create his own team with fellow members this year.
The group travelled to Gore last week, where they visited St Peter’s College and taught pupils their national dance, dabkeh.
Bashar joked his favourite part was making ‘‘Facebook friends’’ at St Peter’s College.
Members of the programme were working with volunteer agencies and volunteered at Shetland St Community Garden.
‘‘They are happiest when they are speaking English and helping out the community,’’ Miss Ghandour said.