It only took Gree two months (18 hours) of practice with a volunteer mentor driver and professional driving instructor to successfully attempt the test again. She says the lessons helped her master the different manoeuvres needed for the test.
Having a licence has changed her life. Before receiving her licence, Gree Hta would walk one hour to get to work or catch a bus to her appointments. Now she can just jump in the car and be where ever she needs to be quickly. Having a driver's licence also means that Gree can get her kids to and from school with ease. Gree has now become the main driver in the family.
New Zealand Red Cross runs the Open Road programme in South Auckland, Palmerston North, Nelson and Dunedin. We are always on the lookout for more volunteer mentor drivers. If you can spare a few hours each week to support former refugees learning to drive, email openroad.PN@redcross.org.nz to get involved or to hear more about what the programme involves.