The generosity of the public is shining through after a simple shout-out for a sewing machine.
Shenenas Norbasha (centre) showing her creations she's made since receiving the sewing machine from the Red Cross. Pictured with her husband Mohammad (right) and the family's Red Cross volunteer, Esmee Rowden (left). Photo: RNZ / Jonothan Mitchell
Earlier this month, RNZ reported on Shenenas Norbasha, her husband Mohammad, and two teenage children, who arrived in New Zealand in September last year as refugees from Myanmar.
Sitting in pride of place on the dining table - and with a beaming smile - Shenenas Norbasha showed off her donated sewing machine.
As well as sewing machines, bags of fabric have been donated. Photo: Supplied / Esmee Rowdon
Red Cross volunteer Esmee Rowden said the initial shout-out on social media has now resulted in more than 70 machines being donated.
She said that was growing by the day.
"There's no such thing as a stockpile - I take them in in the morning and I went in the second day - and they (Red Cross) said they've all gone," she said.
Mrs Rowden said her lounge was a make-shift warehouse with bags and bags of fabric.
"We've had volunteers in Whanganui, Christchurch, Auckland and Dunedin who haven't got a machine to give but they said 'we'll help co-ordinate, we'll help receive, or distribute, or whatever'," she said.
Mrs Rowden said the fabric and machines were being donated to other refugee families around the country.