who we are
The Trust will be wound up effective 31 March 2023.
We’re the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Families Trust. We’re based in Palmerston North, but cover the Central North Island.
Our Mission:
Enhancing the wellbeing of refugee families in the Central North Island of New Zealand, through financial assistance to reunite immediate family members.
Our Purpose:
Raising funds to provide financial assistance and support to enable reuniting of immediate family members.
We welcome support of any sort, be it personal donation, business sponsorship, community funding and other activities.
Donations
You can make a donation to the Trust, either as a one off or by becoming a regular donor. The Trust is a registered charity with the NZ Charities Commission No CC53703. Donations are tax deductible.
Refer to the " How You Can Help" menu option for further details.
You might have the opportunity to promote the work of the Trust to your local community.
You can consider a bequest to the work of the Trust.
You could get together with your friends or community group and organize a fundraiser for the Trust.
We’re the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Families Trust. We’re based in Palmerston North, but cover the Central North Island.
Our Mission:
Enhancing the wellbeing of refugee families in the Central North Island of New Zealand, through financial assistance to reunite immediate family members.
Our Purpose:
Raising funds to provide financial assistance and support to enable reuniting of immediate family members.
We welcome support of any sort, be it personal donation, business sponsorship, community funding and other activities.
Donations
You can make a donation to the Trust, either as a one off or by becoming a regular donor. The Trust is a registered charity with the NZ Charities Commission No CC53703. Donations are tax deductible.
Refer to the " How You Can Help" menu option for further details.
You might have the opportunity to promote the work of the Trust to your local community.
You can consider a bequest to the work of the Trust.
You could get together with your friends or community group and organize a fundraiser for the Trust.
our trustees
Lorna Johnson
I am a veterinary surgeon and have worked in private practice and tertiary education. I was a lecturer at UCOL for eleven years. I’ve volunteered to resettle refugees in our community, and worked in the not-for profit sector in refugee resettlement and health. I am Chair of the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Families Trust and a member of the National Council of Women. I was born in the UK and have lived in New Zealand for 16 years with my husband and three children. Roger Clark I have had a long governance involvement in the Not for Profit sector and have worked for many years in the agricultural servicing sector before my current role as Secretary of The Ozanam House Trust. Other activities, include roles in the Society of St Vincent de Paul, which has a long history of helping refugee families in practical ways. I continue this help as a Trustee of The Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Families Trust. I also find time as a member of Fitzherbert Lions. Mary Nash I came to live in New Zealand from North Wales in 1978. I have three children and four grandchildren. For many years, I taught social work at Massey University and have now retired. I have researched and published in the field of social work and refugees and I know how important it is for refugee families to be reunited with one another. It is my hope that by being a member of the MRRFT I can help to bring families together again. Alison Rowland
Having lived in Kenya for several years and travelled extensively in countries such as Iran, Turkey, Syria, Jordan, Nepal and India I have real empathy for people who have been forced to leave their homes and learn to build a new life in different country and culture. I worked at Massey University for many years as a Manager but since retiring I have enjoyed being able to devote time helping others through organisations such as Zonta and also tutoring refugee women to speak English. I view myself as someone who has had many opportunities in life and it is important to me to give back to others. Cliff Wilson Following a long stint in the corporate sector, most recently as CFO to a large organisation, now semi-retired, I joined MRRFT after working with a Refugee Charity in Wellington, and various other charities, becoming aware of the at times extreme issues in this area. I wish to contribute through being a Trustee/Treasurers of the Manawatu Reuniting Refugee Families Trust as I can to assist in the reunification of disparate families. I am also chair of the Hoffman Kiln Trust. Raza Nayeel I am from Afghanistan, and arrived in New Zealand on 2018 and settled in Palmerston North under the family reunification category. I came with my wife Karima Nayeel and my 3 years old son Farzam Raza Nayeel. Our daughter Aleeza Nayeel was born in New Zealand following our arrival. I had worked with the Afghan Government and international communities serving in Afghanistan. After a while of struggle, I soon settled in Palmy and started work with Palmerston City Council and continues since then. After quick settling, I soon assumed the responsibility of the Afghan Community to compose and organize its activities, currently I am the President of the Manawatu Afghan Society and have been since June 2020. I am also a Trustee with Manawatu Refugee Reuniting Family Trust (MRRFT), a member of the Migration Advisory Committee with Red Cross, and also a member of the Refugee/migrant Navigation Project with Manawatu Multicultural Council. I also represent MRRFT board on the Refugee Alliance. With my involvement with community work, I make sure that I have enough time for family and personal development. I devote at least 2 hours of volunteer work to the community each day. |