Unsung Heroes Winners 2010: Yvonne Ennion - Helping hand for migrants

Yvonne Ennion says she feels privileged to help people such as Elie Bumba to integrate into New Zealand. Photo / Christine Cornege

Five people who have given selflessly to their communities are this year's Unsung Heroes.

More than 70 worthy people were nominated in the New Zealand Herald P&O Cruises' Unsung Heroes competition, but five people stood out from the rest for their tireless efforts to better the lives of others. For this, they each win a trip for two on a P&O South Pacific cruise.

Refugees starting a new life in Hamilton have a helping hand in volunteer Yvonne Ennion.

For the past 20 years, Miss Ennion has been working with Somali, Djibouti, Afghan, Iraqi and Congolese refugees to help them integrate into New Zealand society.

Miss Ennion runs a class four times a week where they can practise their English and study aspects of Kiwi culture, whether it's learning new recipes or how the local health system works.

For the past five years, she has provided daily support to Congolese grandmother Henriette Ekuchu and her grandson Elie, helping Mrs Ekuchu with shopping and taking her to hospital appointments.

"She acts like a family member to them," said colleague Barbara Redfern, who nominated Miss Ennion for Unsung Heroes.

Mrs Redfern said Miss Ennion often drove Elie to soccer practice, took him camping, and did "the sorts of things that parents would usually do for a boy, because he's only here with his grandmother".

"I can get called at any hour of the night from [Elie]," said Miss Ennion. "I've been rung up at 10pm to help him with his homework. I feel it's quite a privilege in that respect, because he needs someone that he can ring up and feel free to do so."

As well as pursuing her interest in badminton, Miss Ennion co-ordinates a sewing group for Tongan women where they can learn the skill.

In the past, she helped arrange and run holiday camps for refugee and migrant children.

The Unsung Community Heroes series is run annually in the The Herald and on nzherald.co.nz in partnership with P&O Cruises. We invited nominations from readers to recognise people who selflessly work to make a difference in their local communities.

Some will be selected to feature in the paper and on nzherald.co.nz. Five will be chosen to join a P&O winter cruise.