On 23 July an enthusiastic group from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the Tamaki area joined hands to help lift some of the burdens of refugees in New Zealand.
After listening to their Church leaders at a worldwide General Conference in April, the group was eager to learn how they could help refugees.
One of the speakers at the conference, Elder Patrick Kearon said, “Being a refugee may be a defining moment in the lives of those who are refugees, but being a refugee does not define them . . . our response will define us.”
Karlene Wihongi, who helped organize the event said, “We were inspired to investigate how we could help the refugee's in our community. We discovered that the New Zealand Red Cross is the lead refugee resettlement agency in New Zealand.”
“I met with Red Cross and discussed options on how our group of congregations could be of service, and it was decided that we could gather a collection of household goods to donate for the refugees.”
During their project, the group heard from a former Ethiopian refugee, Dawit Arshak, who spoke about his experiences as a refugee. Speaking of his new life in New Zealand, he said, “I am grateful to live in New Zealand where I have the freedom of speech, without the fear of being persecuted.”
“Refugees are ordinary people facing extraordinary conditions. They have experienced war, persecution, discrimination, racism and oppression. They've been forced to flee from their homeland because of nothing more than their ethnicity, religion or beliefs. Once a refugee leaves their country, they have little control over where they go.”
Arshak further explained, “I did not want to come to New Zealand, but I was forced to leave my country."
- Tamaki Stake Refugee Project
- Tamaki 1st Ward Refugee
- Tamaki 2nd Ward Refugee
- Tamaki 3rd Ward Refugee
- Tamaki 4th Ward Refugee
- Tangaroa Ward Refugee
- Johnstone Ward Refugee
- Clover Park Refugee
| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
He highlighted the struggles of being a refugee and of those Ethiopian families who had to flee their homeland. Arshak said “It is very difficult to establish ourselves in a new land; many families struggle to make friends and adapt to New Zealand life.”
Speaking sincerely, he pled, “If a refugee family becomes your new neighbour, please help them by becoming a friend.”
The Church congregations decided to ask their members if they had extras at home of specific items which would be helpful to refugees who have so very little of what they need for daily living.
Wihongi observed, “Volunteers from seven of the Latter-day Saint congregations in the Botany, Flat Bush, East Tamaki and Otara areas came together in unity and love to donate pots, glasses, plates, bed linen, new pillows and more for the refugees who resettle in New Zealand.”
In total, 52 boxes and 17 bags of kitchen and linen items were gathered and prepared for delivery to the New Zealand Red Cross.
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At the conclusion of the event, Arshak thanked the group for their efforts by saying, “Thank you for your generosity in providing such a large volume of good quality items for the refugees.”
From the 80-plus people in attendance, many felt a sweet spirit and were grateful for the opportunity to serve. One of these, Soana Hau, explained, “It was a beautiful feeling filled with love and compassion.”
President Tame Loamanu, a Latter-day Saint local leader who was present, said, “The women of this Church are filled with examples of ordinary women who have accomplished extraordinary things.”
He acknowledged the faithful sisters for their great contributions and unfailing faith despite their own struggles to make ends meet within their own homes.
Story credit: Karlene Wihongi
