Afghanistan to Anakiwa - An Outward Bound Course for Former Refugee Women
Supporting the personal development, leadership and confidence of former refugee women who attend an inaugural women's Outward Bound course.
Auckland
You are supporting a group of refugee women, mainly from Afghanistan, who have been through much in their lives and are excited to attend the first 8 day, all women's refugee Outward Bound course in February 2025.
Getting out and experiencing the beauty and challenge of Aotearoa/NZ's outdoors can be especially difficult for this group due to family commitments, financial constraints, limited outdoor experience, language challenges and low self confidence. Connection to the land and to nature improves mental and physical wellbeing, helping people cope with tough times. With this in mind the opportunity for personal growth by being in the outdoors at Anakiwa is incredible. It is believed attending Outward Bound will further build the confidence, trust and understanding, and leadership skills of the women and help them discover what they are capable of. The women have already started building their fitness and learning about working as a team. As mothers, wives, sisters and daughters this is a rich gift that they will share with their family, friends and communities.
The women are grateful to Outward Bound for providing this amazing opportunity and sponsoring the course. However to make this possible, we are seeking additional funding to cover the return air fares from Auckland to Blenheim. While the woman have committed to paying what they can, your donation will help make this life changing experience possible. Thank you for being a part of this, it means a great deal.
Sue Petrie's involvement (page creator)
A volunteer with a passion for making the outdoors accessible for our refugee community.
Latest update
"You are now officially Outward Bound" 2 March 2025
On Monday, the group of 14 wāhine who were part of the first refugee background Outward Bound watch farewelled Outward Bound after what was an amazing 8 day course. I had the privilege of joining the group for the final couple of days and it was so special to be part of their wonder at what they had achieved. They had sailed the cutter, completed the high ropes, been in the water everyday with some of the wāhine going into the sea for a first time this year, walked 12kms after a 2 hour waka ama session and had their solo experience. For so many of the women it was the first time they really felt that they had had time to themselves - both an exhilarating and anxiety provoking situation. The wāhine had a real "can do" attitude in those final days. A reminder to me how incredible Outward Bound is. Hopeful this is the first of many similar courses - all made possible because of your generous support to get the wāhine to Anakiwa. So thank you for being part of this journey. It has meant a lot to the wāhine. With appreciation, tashakur, thank you. Sue
Latest donations
Oh yes, I agree fully. Thanks Amy for helping to make this happen. Much appreciated. Sue
Thanks Mary for caring about this activity in the way you have. Your contribution is much appreciation. Sue
Arrh, great Lynx. Thanks for showing your support for this as you so rightly say, fantastic opportunity. With appreciation. Sue
Thank you for your incredibly generous contribution to this journey to Anakiwa. Very much appreciated. Sue
Yes it will be an amazing experience for them. Thanks Robyn for helping to get the wāhine to Anakiwa. Much appreciated. Sue
Who's involved?
