The newly established New Zealand Red Cross club at the University of Auckland (UoA Red) were excited to volunteer as guides and mentors for a group of recently arrived former refugee youth to Aotearoa. 

Our team of eight gathered at Britomart where we met the young people and set off on an Amazing Race-style challenge.The race took us to new and unexpected places like the Auckland War Memorial Museum, on a ferry to the Devonport Library to register for a library card, catching a bus to the Lamborghini store and walking through the university where volunteers could share what we study and hear about their aspirations. 

To conclude the day we shared a meal together, traded stories about the new things we learnd, and then finished off at the bowling alley.

I would use to describe my first experience being a red cross volunteer as rewarding. It’s a special moment when you witness others’ eyes light up and become overcome with joy and excitement when experiencing something for the first time. It really is a magical moment and I’m super grateful to New Zealand Red Cross and UoA Red to be a part of the experience.

We are excited to welcome new recruits to UoA Red. We are a group of talented, motivated people looking to do our part to help the community. The group is focused around three core objectives: develop meaningful interpersonal relationships and a sense of belonging under a common goal; promote awareness campaigns on important issues for the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement; and seek out opportunities to serve the community.

Do you attend the University of Auckland? You can get involved by contacting our Youth Engagement Advisor at Andrew.Ulugia@redcross.org.nz, or find out more about volunteering opportunities here.