Zina Iqbal was overwhelmed by the support she received from her community when she moved to New Zealand from Bangladesh.
“Everyone was really helpful,” she says, “people helped me navigate IRD, find my way around, and get my driver’s license.”
Shortly after moving to Dunedin last year, Zina found an opportunity to repay some of this kindness by becoming a Red Cross refugee support volunteer.
As an Arabic speaker and qualified English teacher, she was in an excellent position to use her skills to support refugee families on their resettlement journey.
“I can only do so much because of work though, but that’s where teamwork helped me,” she says.
“I also think that even if you’re busy you can find time to help people if you have the will.”
It’s been an incredible experience for Zina who has watched the family she’s supporting flourish in their new home.
“Seeing them find their way around the city and become increasingly independent has been really rewarding,” she says.
Zina is enthusiastic to be part of a community of good people doing good things with Red Cross.
“Without a community we’re incomplete and volunteering with Red Cross builds that community.”