Anglican Mission Units Urban Vision Cannons Creek and Journey Christian Fellowship Lower Hutt have welcomed former refugees to their communities after working to provide furnished homes and create a welcoming community to settle these former refugees in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Journey Christian Fellowship welcomes a Rwandan woman this week, who will move into a unit in the recently completed Taitā housing development at St Matthew's Lower Hutt, after the diocesan tenancy team was able to make one of their homes available to rent.

Persis Pacifique, who is Finance Assistant at the Diocese of Wellington's admin hub the Anglican Centre, was part of the Journey Christian Fellowship group working to find a new home for their CORS former refugee.

“Securing a home was wonderful. But knowing this woman would be part of the extended care and safety of the St Matthew’s community is such good news for us.”

Persis and her church developed detailed settlement and orientation plans – required under the scheme – to prepare for the arrival. This included securing quality furnished accommodation, arranging to meet at the airport and introducing their sponsored person to New Zealand society and systems such as education, health, transportation, shopping, employment and culture.

They will also cover the rent at the Taitā home until the new family arrives and they can start paying for it themselves.  

“Some of our members have been through a similar refugee experience. So they naturally want to support people making the same transition." said Persis.

“It’s also a key way for us to extend the love of Jesus to others."  

Matt Crawshaw from the Urban Vision Cannons Creek team describes it as a privilege to be part of the CORS programme. Their team have sponsored a family of four who have been living as refugees in Uganda for over 10 years. The family never expected to get an opportunity to start their life in a safe country with so many opportunities to flourish. The team in Cannons Creek have put in the mahi, but they know it pales beside the work their family have had to do.

“It’s been a labour of love for us in welcoming our new friends to Porirua. They have overcome so much and shown such tenacity just to get here.

“But in the short time since arriving they have focused on getting settled and are now cracking into the opportunities available to them here.

“It’s impressive to watch.” said Matt.

The Community Refugee Sponsorship programme enables approved community groups to take the lead role in settling newly arrived refugees.

Over a two-year period, the sponsoring community group help the family find housing, form connections, access services, secure employment, learn English and participate in their community to achieve independence and belonging in their new home.

Approved organisations enter into an agreement with Immigration New Zealand and use their community networks and funding to help a family resettle in Aotearoa.

They are supported by HOST International Aotearoa New Zealand, an umbrella organisation, for the duration of the programme.