Red Cross - Welcome Home

December 2025
Jasmin moved here from Germany around 2008. She signed up to be a Red Cross refugee support volunteer in 2021 after reading an article about Colombian families coming to Invercargill. “I chose to come to New Zealand; I didn’t have to fear for my life,” Jasmin stated. “I didn’t have to leave my country just to be safe. Refugees have such difficult backgrounds, and I thought I could help.”

Firstly, volunteers prepare a home, making sure the basics are ready. We try to make it look nice – a house that’s cosy,” explained Jasmin. Then they head to the airport, ready to greet a family who have finally made it to their new life. Jasmin has supported five former refugee families so far, and hasn’t missed a single airport pickup.

Jasmin is part of a team helping the family through their first few months: how supermarkets here work; getting to school; GPs and dentist appointments; taking the bus; finding fun activities in Invercargill. “Queen’s Park is always a hit,” says Jasmin.

For anyone considering volunteering, Jasmin encourages “Just go for it! I found it very rewarding when you help other people become self-sufficient in their new country that’s safe now.”

Lina, one of those Jasmin has been there for says, “I feel like that’s what every family needs when they’re coming from an experience where it wasn’t family friendly. Having a volunteer feels like they’re saying – ok, I can help you balance until you can stand on your own."