Volunteer work ethic fuels centre

SETTLING: Wyle Chen is finding her feet in the English-speaking Kiwi working environment. PHOTO/LYNDA FERINGA

Arriving from China to join her partner two months ago, Wyle Chen is improving her English skills and employment prospects by volunteering at the Wairarapa Resource Centre.

Trained as a software tester at home in Guang Zhou, the 25-year-old said she loved New Zealand and was finding her feet working behind the counter serving customers at the King St centre.

"My English is improving. The people here are very nice to me. They talk slowly so I can understand," she said.

Living in Masterton, where she hoped to find employment in the future, Ms Chen said she found New Zealand to be clean and an ideal place to settle down in.

"I like it here. It is very clean. The sky is so blue here and at night you can see the stars. I never knew it was beautiful at night.

"Back in China, the pollution makes too many clouds in the sky so you can't see how beautiful it is."

However, missing the Moon Cake or Autumn Festival in China recently was a sad time for her. "That is time to spend with family."

Wairarapa Resource Centre manager Trudie Jones said Ms Chen, who walked in off the street thanks to a family who supported the centre, was proving to be an asset in the shop.

"She's just thriving. It took us a while to be able to talk but she is doing really well now. She is a good, keen worker with a strong work ethic," she said.

If you are looking for work experience or can offer work to any of the trainees at the centre please call Mrs Jones on (06) 377-2090.