This month 30 youth from the Hutt got together for a day to watch films, play games, do some writing and make a short film of their own. This is a little bit of the writing they did:

The thing I would change about the world us the struggle, war and family violence, so that it could be peace – Joseph

I want a world with no racism, where anyone of any skin colour can feel free to say, so or go anywhere without being afraid of anyone attacking, discriminating again them or putting them down. – Dau

If I had $10 million dollars I would like to make a big change in Africa, build schools to educate children who can’t afford school fees, free hospital for all children, shelter for homeless kids, help with the UN to get food to everyone – Elly

My three wishes: I wish for world peace; I wish everybody was rich and there was no more poverty; I wish I was taller – Aluel

We had to escape Burma to find a better place. It took us two weeks to get to Malaysia. It was very difficult to get there. We were hungry and thirsty. We were hiding from the authorities. We were very scared because if they saw us we could go to jail. They pushed us in a small car. It was hard because we can’t even breathe. It was very scary because we travelled day and night and sometimes we had to run and hide from people. For me and my older sister it was most difficult thing that happened in our lives, because we looked after our younger brothers and sister. Finally we got to Malaysia safely and we met our Dad. My Dad was in jail, so the UN came to help him and gave him a refugee card and told him to come to New Zealand. The journey was hard but when we got here it made a difference and changed our lives. We’ve got so many opportunities and a good education. I feel safe living here but I found it hard to learn English – Madeline

‘No matter who you meet, wherever you go, nothing can ever be like home.’ Dad always says ‘home is the best place to be’. I never forget those words, even now when I am so far away from home, Africa.

Some people say that Africa is a lost continent, a place that can’t be saved. People get the wrong idea about Africa. True, it’s in a time of trouble but to me it’s still home even though I am in New Zealand. In my new home I can’t forget my real home and the people I left behind.

I was born in Dimma, Ethiopia and for me Ethiopia is home. I lived there all my life until I came to New Zealand six or seven years ago. I lived in Addis Abba, which is the capital city of Ethiopia. Where I come from is different to where I am now. Like back home parents are respected, elders are looked after - they were the wise and you always listened to them. The best thing you could ever get it the wisdom and blessing of an elder. Those kind of virtues are what make me and home special.

I enjoy what my new home has given me the opportunity for education and living without fear and trouble. I thank all of my friends for looking after me and showing me that I can make new friends and a new home. It’s hard when you leave everything you know behind for a new beginning but when you make friends it starts becoming like home and easier. I thank my friends for making life easy for me and making this my new home.

Even though Dad said ‘nothing can ever be like home’, it can be close. Never forget where you come from because it makes you – Paul

We want to know what makes a high school teacher, a GOOD high school teacher.

If you can write/text/email us with the name of a teacher that made a positive impact on your life, we'll put you in the draw to win an iPod shuffle.

It might be a teacher that helped you to learn more, who helped you get into a sports team, who inspired you to try harder, who made learning fun, or who just treated you the same as everyone else.

You don't have to be in high school to enter the competition – if you have already left and would like to nominate a New Zealand teacher, you can.

You just need to tell us:
You name
Your phone number
The name of the teacher you think is a GOOD teacher
The school that they teach at

You can:
Email – Laura on kiwilaura@gmail.com
Phone – Tessa on 801 5812
Text – Laura
Visit – ChangeMakers, Level 3, 39 Webb Street

There are two fun things going on for World Refugee Week this year...

Soccer match: Newtown Park, 10am, Saturday, June 14 - Team Asia Vs Team Africa, and World Refugee All Stars Vs Wellington. Free!

Film screening: Free! Saturday, June 20, 5pm, NZ Film Archive, 84 Taranaki Street. Documentary - Refugee All Stars, about a group of Sierra Leonean refugees living in a camp who start a band and travel the world! See the video box for a sneak preview...