South African Granny raising funds for legal fees to avoid deportation

Connie is a 64 year old grandmother who arrived in New Zealand on a visitors visa in July 2018 to visit her 3 children and her grandchildren who immigrated two years prior to her arrival.

She was offered a job during her stay and proceeded to apply for an essential skills visa so she could live and work in NZ and be close to her loved ones. In June 2019, after numerous months of waiting her application was declined and she is now facing deportation.

Connie has no support in South Africa with the exception of her elder brother who himself has been battling with early cancer. Should she return to South Africa the chances of her ever being able to return to New Zealand is slim to none. Having previous close calls with violence and a family member being gunned down in their driveway, Connie fears for her life should she have to return to South Africa.

Connie is of excellent character and health and was a sole parent to her four adult children. She is hoping to appeal Immigration New Zealands decision on humanitarian grounds giving her a chance to be part of her children and grandchildrens lives, an opportunity she will not have should be forced to return to South Africa.

The funds of this page will go towards Connie's legal fees and application to the tribunal in the hopes that they reconsider their decision under grounds of exceptional circumstances.

It is in the best interest of Connie's children, grandchildren and everyone with whom she has fostered a relationship in NZ with that she remain in NZ and sending an elderly woman back to South Africa given the current state of affairs in the country is unfair and unjust.

Here is a link to the petition which you can sign to offer your support http://chng.it/SQkGzWjT