Stories

This month marks 10 years since the conflict started, triggering more than five million people to flee the bombs and bullets and escape across borders. Millions more have been displaced inside Syria and are still in dire need of assistance. As the war continues, hope is fading fast.

When the harbour wall extension in Dunedin required the expertise of stone masons, New Zealand Red Cross’ Pathways to Employment team saw the perfect opportunity for skilled former refugees from Syria. 

 With support from New Zealand Red Cross' Pathways to Employment programme, Zay Oo has has been able to rediscover his passion for electrical work, embarking on a apprenticeship that will see him become a qualified electrician in the next three years.

Atefeh Behnam Nejabat has an impressive resume, multiple qualifications and many years of experience working as an accountant. But the road to employment in Aotearoa was a little bumpy at first. With the help of New Zealand Red Cross Pathways to Employment team, she eventually got there.

In the middle of the night, Abdal was faced with a parent’s worst nightmare — finding their child not breathing. Luckily, Abdal knew what to do.

Tucked in behind the main street in Nelson is an unassuming concrete building. You’d never know that inside this building, chef and former refugee Alexander Garcia Gongoro is baking up something delicious. The only hint is a small black sign that reads ‘YUM’.

We're celebrating former refugees who were essential workers during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. Meet Nedal Ebrahim; a former refugee, a supermarket assistant, a passionate cook and a COVID-19 essential worker.

We're celebrating former refugees who were essential workers during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. Meet Masood Chakari: a former refugee, a cricket player, a Case Manager for Work and Income, and COVID-19 essential worker.

We're celebrating former refugees who were essential workers during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. Meet husband and wife Lin and Lian, former refugees from Myanmar, Kiwis, parents and essential workers.

We're celebrating former refugees who were essential workers during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. Meet Rose Pradhan; a former refugee, a truck driver for TNL, a mother of two and a COVID-19 essential worker.

We're celebrating former refugees who were essential workers during COVID-19 Alert Level 4 Lockdown. Meet Sabira Nouri: a former refugee, nurse, avid traveller, cancer survivor and COVID-19 essential worker, Sabira has been defying the odds her whole life.

For Feras Abbas, a former refugee, the journey to employment in Aotearoa has been about using old skills in a new way.