What gives you hope?

Zaineh | Kirikiriroa

Zaineh reflects on her family’s sacrifices, the importance of staying connected to culture and faith, and the support her and her whānau have found in Aotearoa.

“We were always a very close family, very close together. We supported each other.

My parents did everything for us. We were in New Plymouth first and then we moved to Hamilton. It was hard for my parents, but they kept pushing through. They didn’t give up so that we could have a better life and better opportunity. It was hard for them, and my dad was under a lot of stress.

But they tried – finding new friends, through work, through people knowing other people. And just staying connected with us, the kids. I have a sister, Jude. She’s seventeen. And a brother, Rashid. He’s fourteen.

We always talk about home. My dad refuses to talk to us at home in English, to keep us connected to back home, our language. And we also stay connected through religion.

I always have this saying,

                                                    خيراً فيما اختاره الله

which means ‘there’s always good in what God chooses for you.’ I just keep that in my brain, the back of my brain, just to keep me going. As a Muslim, you’ve always got to be positive in every situation out there.

New Zealand is a beautiful, beautiful country. I’ve been privileged – very privileged – to be in Aotearoa, New Zealand. From the beautiful views, beautiful scenes, beautiful people. They’ve always supported me throughout my journey.”