Help save their soles

Refugees often arrive here ill-equipped for our colder weather. You can help, writes Rowena Orejana.

These little feet have travelled more than 11,000km to get here. They belong to a 5-year-old girl who, with her family, has sought refuge in New Zealand from the military regime in Myanmar, the country formerly known as Burma.
The wide-eyed, solemn child is one of 55 refugee children aged 2 to 12 who have caught Mangere Refugee Reception Centre flat-footed. "We have plenty of shoes for adults and older teens but there are a lot of kids in this intake," says its manager, Tim Houghton.
New Zealand takes in 750 people every year. Staff at the centre do their best to prepare for each new intake but it isn't easy.
"It's a bit of the luck of the draw, really," says Janet Mathewson, Refugee Services manager for Auckland. "Some families that come in intakes are well-dressed. They may not have enough with them, but they're well set up. Other families will come in with next to nothing. So it's hard to know. Some of these families will come in the middle of winter in shorts and flip-flops."
The centre has put out the word and the response has already been amazing, says Mr Houghton. "People from many agencies all around Auckland have contacted us with offers of clothing and shoes."
Mr Houghton says a few more donations would be welcome. "Any extras we can just save for the next intake," he says.
Workshops will be held to explain the idea of layering. Most of the refugees have lived in countries where temperatures may climb as high as 45C. "Very often they feel uncomfortable wearing shoes, socks, hats, scarves and jackets because T-shirts and shorts were all they needed."
Ms Mathewson urges manufacturers to donate their good quality samples as well as export over-runs. Out of respect for the refugee families, and the experiences they have been through, the centre's policy is to provide them with good quality used or new clothing.
The intakes stay in the centre for six weeks. After that, Refugee Services helps them settle.
Ms Mathewson says there are many children in Auckland who would benefit from donated cots, carseats and folding prams and pushchairs.
Mr Houghton emphasises that these goods are meant only to help start new lives away from the conflict these people have experienced.
"It's just that they've just arrived here and they need to get started. They very quickly become independent and self-supporting and work as soon as they can. I don't want people to think, 'Oh, the refugees come needing this and needing that'," he says.
"They come with a lot of strengths. They've been through incredible journeys to get here and contribute a lot to New Zealand life."
Reception Centre wish list
Clothing (particularly trousers/leggings) for boys and girls, from babies and children aged up to 5
New underwear for boys and girls aged 5 to 11
Clothing for boys aged 5 to 13
Polar fleeces for men, women and children
Sewing machines in working order
Fabric and other sewing needs 
Sports equipment
Toys for toddler girls
Baby baths
Contact: Tim Houghton, Mangere Refugee Reception Centre, 251 Massey Rd, Mangere, ph 276 6719.
Refugee Service needs
Cots
Prams
Children's car safety seats
Furniture
Contact: Chandra Yogeswaran, ph6210014 or email: chandra.yogeswaran@refugeeservices.org.nz