August - NZ Newcomers Network

Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
Greetings,
A warm welcome to our newest newcomers.
The newcomers programme is a Manawatu Multicultural
Council programme to assist new arrivals settle in our City
by holding social events.
The highlight for the month of August is the Multicultural
Council 20th anniversary celebration coming up on Saturday the 17th August at Travelodge from 2-5pm followed by
a gourmet dinner and entertainment at Chinatown Restaurant from 6.30pm. You are all cordially invited!!!. The cost
for the dinner is $20 and tickets are selling fast, please
book your ticket by contacting the Multicultural Centre on
358 1572 or e-mailing Shantona Poduval on coordinator@mcnz.org.nz .
Since its incorporation in 1993, the MMC has grown in its
stature, popularity and activities. The day will commemorate 20 years of its existence in getting involved with ethnic communities in Palmerston North and making a positive
impact on our greater community by sharing and celebrating our diversity together. The event will be dedicated to
representing the interests, concerns and aspirations of
those from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
as well as newly arrived migrants and refugees, particularly
those from non-English speaking backgrounds.
By being of service to newcomers, migrants, and refugees
for the last two decades, we have shown that the Multicultural Council not only raises the profile and awareness of
the needs of ethnic groups and communities, but also undertakes specific projects aimed at addressing the needs of
the multicultural communities, cultural support groups and
workshops in response to identified service gaps. The Centre is well recognized as the first stop for all new ethnic
groups to Palmerston North and is an efficiently run hub
which enjoys collaborative relationships with community
groups and strategic partners.
Please see more details further in this newsletter.
We look forward to seeing you there.
Shantona Poduval—MMCentre Coordinator
Physical Address
Manawatu Multicultural
Council Inc. (MMC)
Community House
77-85 King Street
PO BOX 2031
PALMERSTON NORTH
E-mail: Manawatu
@newcomers.co.nz
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
In Her Own Words
Jambo,
Hello everyone,
My name is Lilian Obonyo, I am from Kenya and I arrived in New Zealand
4months ago with my partner. I wasn't very sure of what to expect. Coming from a
tropical country, it was freezing cold for me, the first two weeks I spend indoors
and really didn’t want go out.
My partner’s colleague from Massey University told him about the Multicultural Centre . He suggested to my partner that I should go to the Centre and that there is a
lady from Rwanda called Christine.
I decided to visit to Centre and I met Christine and got registered too. I told Christine I’m looking for something to do in the community that I don’t want to sit bored
at home. That very moment she offered to drive me to the Refugee Services whom
were looking for volunteers. Two weeks later, I attended the training with them and
started my work as a volunteer support worker, helping with the Afghanistan refugees to settle well in the community.
I can say the Centre is life saver to me, I like the potluck dinners where I get to
meet people from different nationalities, it makes me feel I’m not alone, that I have
a big family who loves and concerns about each other.
The women groups are just amazing, I get to learn about different cultures and doing art and craft together. The staff at the Centre are awesome, they always have
time for everyone. Every time I visit I get big hugs and smiles.
I recently got a part-time job, thanks to good reference from the Centre. What I
can say is a big THANK YOU to the Multicultural Centre.
Lilian
Lilian at one of the Women’s Group activity
Kia Ora and Karibu, Lilian, and thank you for the generous comments about the
Multicultural Centre and the newcomers Programme. It was a real pleasure meeting and knowing you.
You came with the right attitude and everyone enjoys your very friendly company.
You achieved so much within just 4 months. Good on you!!!
Christine
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
Potluck Dinner Update
Kamusta,
Last month potluck dinner was
a celebration for our newcomers
network.
It was also a night we got to
know new people who just
moved to Palmerston North.
We enjoyed meeting Zoe and
her son from Danniverke who
moved to town . I hope she will
come again to our potluck dinner. Paul from Feilding enjoyed
sharing his story while having a
Happy Birthday Meriam
meal with us.
I am so grateful to Christine
and Kathleen for remembering
my birthday and bringing a cake
to make it more momentous.
Meriam Findlay
Newcomers Activities Coordinators
Nirmala Nand
Chairperson
Nirmala.nand@midcentraldhb.govt.nz
3509110 ext.7580
Meriam Findlay
357 8700
The.findlays@xtra.co.nz
Maria Rivera
Maria.rivera@clear.net.nz
Carrol Chan
ruahine550@gmail.com
Noorangi Puleosi
358 1572
ask@mmcnz.org.nz
Christine Mukabalinda
358 1572
info@mmcnz.org.nz
Manawatu@newcomers.co.nz
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
Is Home where your are from, or is it what you keep inside you?
DO NOT MISS OUT!!!!
There will be a free screening of the award winning NZ film "The Red House" on Friday, August 9th at 7pm at the City library, followed by tea, coffee, biscuits and a
talk via Skype with the director. The Red House takes Lee and Jia, a deeply-in-love
couple in their 60s, from their rural island home in NZ to big city China to visit Jia's
parents, and asks the question: Is home where you are from or is it what you keep
inside you? A preview can be seen here: http://www.alyxduncan.com/
directing.php?pid=4
This free film screening is brought to you by Engineers Without Borders NZ, a nonprofit organisation which connects, educates and empowers people in NZ and across
the Pacific through humanitarian engineering. Humanitarian engineering uses a people centered, strength based approach to improve community health, well being and
opportunity. For more information please see our website: http://ewb.org.nz/
index.php/page/view/projects#
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
Sábado 27 Julio
2.30-3.30pm
Canta Conmigo
estará tocando música latina en vivo en el
Downtown International Carnival
Vengan a disfrutar y bailar para sacarse el frío!!
Saturday July 27th
2.30-3.30pm
Canta Conmigo
will be playing Latino music live at
Downtown International Carnival
Come to enjoy and dance!!
Downtown Mall: 38-60 Broadway Ave, PN. For more information, see flyer attached.
LASO- Latin American Society
Manawatu Newcomers Newsletter #7
Friday 26 July 2013
August 2013 Calendar of Events and Activities
Friday 2nd August and every Friday of the week
Shared Lunch from 12 noon
@Manawatu Multicultural Centre
Community House
77-85 King Street
Contact Noorangi or Christine
Friday 2nd August and every Friday of the week
Art and Craft from 1-3pm
@Manawatu Multicultural Centre
Community House
77-85 King Street
Contact Christine or Noorangi
Wednesday the 7th August
Women’s Group – Latino Dance from 1-3pm
@ Manawatu Multicultural Centre
Community House
77-85 King Street
Palmerston North
Contact Christine or Noorangi
Saturday 17th August
MMC 20th Anniversary:
Celebration @ Travelodge Hotel 175-185 Cuba Street from 2-5pm
Gourmet dinner@ Chinatown Restaurant from 6.30-9.30pm
Dinner cost $20.
Wednesday 21st August
Coffee Morning from 10am
@Manawatu Multicultural Centre
Community House
77-85 King Street
Contact Maria, Carrol or Christine
Friday 30th August
Potluck Dinner at 6pm
@ Te Manawa Museum
326 Main Street
Contact Meriam or Christine
Saturday 31st August
Women Only Swimming Night from 6-8pm
Freyberg Community Pool
Call Freyberg community Pool on 06 354 3856