When did you last need help?

Ahmed | Ōtautahi

Originally from Somalia, Ahmed arrived in New Zealand in 2000 and was determined to make the most of the opportunity he had to start a new life in Aotearoa.

“I had one teacher and she told me to just give up. But her words motivated me to show her that I can do this. It motivated me to work hard, study hard, get my level three and go to university and get great marks in my university. So I wouldn’t say help, but I would say motivation.

I mean, yes, I struggle a little bit. I’m not going to lie, I’m not going to say it’s perfect. But when I was in high school, I was the only African in the school. So I felt a bit, like, not welcomed, you know, a bit of racism. But it just makes me work a bit harder and motivates me to go to university and prove to people that refugees are not like other people.

A refugee can go to university and actually do better and help society.”

Now, Ahmed he is a cross cultural worker at the Red Cross in Ōtautahi and helps recently arrived former refugees find jobs and education and find their feet in Aotearoa.

Our question for kaikōrero this month was “when did you last need help?” We learned about the diverse demands on the lives of New Zealanders and the incredible support networks they rely on.