World Refugee Day chosen to launch snapshots of success

World Refugee Day chosen to launch snapshots of success

World Refugee Day next week is being marked in Nelson by the launching of a book, New Beginnings: Refugee Stories – Nelson, which celebrates the personal achievements of people from a refugee background.

The Nelson Multicultural Council co-ordinator Evey McAuliffe says it’s very important to publicly acknowledge the contribution refugees make to our community, which is why this year World Refugee day was chosen to launch the special publication.

“We decided to share stories of individuals and groups from different refugee communities in Nelson who are doing well in areas such as school, sports, culture groups, work or business,” Evey says. “It is one way we can let everyone know of the successes of former refugees who have settled here.”

Evey hopes to see the project repeated, and that young people from refugee backgrounds will aspire to be included in future publications.

“The project aims to inform the wider community of the history of refugee settlement in the region, as well as providing a resource that demonstrates all the positive input of former refugees into our community.”

New Beginnings: Refugee Stories – Nelson, is a collection of thirteen stories or ‘snapshots of success’ of former refugees. The publication was the vision of Sue Leya, a former refugee living in Nelson and was made possible due to the many volunteer hours given by Alison Gibbs as researcher and editor.

Nelson Multicultural Council, Settling In Family & Community Services MSD, andRefugee Services Nelson supported the project.

Being launched at the same event is Mu Lar’s Weaving, a basic reader for beginner learners of English that gives thestory of Kayan weaver, Mu Lar Pan, a former refugee who now lives in Nelson. The book was put together by her friend and former English Language Partners home tutor, Sue Heydon and photographer Maclean Barker, who is also a volunteer with Refugee Services Aotearoa. The book is published by Readers Action Group, English Language Partners Nelson Marlborough with funding from the Chatton Properties Trust.

The publications will be launched at Elma Turner Library (Nelson Public Library), on World Refugee Day 20 June at 6pm with a special celebration. New Beginnings: Refugee Stories – Nelson can be viewed on www.nelsonmulticultural.co.nz following the launch.

ENDS

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