Three refugees share stories of how their lives have been changed by moving to New Zealand. In a new culture they're making the most of the new opportunities they've found here, though it hasn't always been easy.
MAKUEI AKEN, 24, FROM SUDAN
Makuei Aken was born into war-torn Sudan. One morning militia came into his village, murdering the adults and kidnapping children for slaves. Makuei’s aunty saved him and his sister and ran into the bush. A few days later they returned to their burnt down village.
With nowhere to live they walked for a year-and-a half to Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. Maquei lived there for five years until New Zealand accepted them as refugees. Now Makuei has found his passion in theatre, and he’s on the path to become an actor.
ENATHA MUSABE, 19, RWANDA
Enatha Musabe was born in Rwanda during the genocide where her parents decided to flee to the safety of Kenya. Her father was killed when he returned to Rwanda to visit family, leaving Enatha’s mother to look after two children in tough conditions. Twelve years later they were accepted into New Zealand as refugees.
Enatha was opened up to a completely different world. With numbers being her favourite thing Enatha is majoring in accounting and economics.
DANIEL GAMBOA SALAZAR, 20, COLUMBIA
Daniel Gamboa Salazar is a Colombian refugee. He and his mother fled the country after a terrorist group threatened to harm him if his mother refused to store guns for them. That night they crossed the border into Ecuador where life was even harder as they were discriminated against. Daniel is now immersing himself into the Kiwi culture as he studies at Victoria University.