8 Tuesday <strong>April</strong> <strong>10</strong> <strong>2018</strong> Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi WESTERN NEWS www.barringtonshopping.co.nz 256 Barrington Street, Christchurch 8024 • Ph. 03 332 4221
WESTERN NEWS Latest Christchurch news at www.star.kiwi Tuesday <strong>April</strong> <strong>10</strong> <strong>2018</strong> 9 Your Local Views Celebrating Iranian New Year Wigram’s Zahra Hussaini is an active part of the refugee and migrant community. She teaches children morals and ethics and volunteers for Who is Hussain? an organisation which aims to provide for those in need. In this article she talks about recent Iranian New Year celebrations MARCH 21 marked our new year which is known as Nowruz literally meaning new day. Nowruz is on the first day of spring in Iran, Afghanistan and some neighbouring countries and they celebrate this special event with their special traditions. It taks place during March every year, so it almost coincides with Easter, which helps us in finding some decorative accessories/ chocolates we can use. Usually during new year people have a good spring clean, shop a lot and wear new clothes, then visit families, friends and relatives to show respect. We have a special table spread which consists of a mirror, candles, our holy book (Quran), sweets, nuts, fruits, flowers, coins, eggs, vinegar, garlic. Each of them resembles blessing and good future for the upcoming year basically. A special dinner is cooked for the new year time, mostly rice and different types of curries, depending on the family’s preferences. New year is all about having food and socialising to enjoy and celebrate. Mostly younger ones have to visit the elderly first, then they get a present from the older people which is usually cash. Nowruz is a holiday for the ones who celebrate in the northern hemisphere so people don’t go to work or school. It takes about two weeks for people to get back to work and school with lots of great memories. In Christchurch, sometimes we gather as a big group at a park to celebrate this event by bringing different food and sweets to enjoy everyone’s company. Children and young people play around the park, elderly sit together with their friends to have tea and chat. We obviously don’t have a long week to celebrate Nowruz and take time off school and work in New Zealand, but we try our best to keep the traditions of visiting friends and families to celebrate our new year alive. LUAONO Siwatibau, of Avonhead, discovered her future career path during one of the hardest times in her life. After a friend received a brain injury, she took on the role of his carer. It was during the following three years of trips in and out of hospital for x-rays and scans when she was introduced to medical imaging. “We had to visit the hospital for his x-rays and I got to learn about his injuries through the lens of the health system. For me it was quite rewarding to see him getting back on his feet.” Last week she received a pasifika higher learning scholarship from Ara Institute of Canterbury and is about to start the first year of the medical imaging degree. “I think that’s maybe why I got the scholarship. I had to write about why I wanted to do this Local <strong>News</strong> Now Fire rages, homes at risk PROUD: Luaono Siwatibau with Ara head of business Michaela Blacklock and chief executive Tony Gray. Career comes from challenge course, and I wrote about him.” It’s not the first time she has studied. Her first shot at university, a bachelor of science, was unsuccessful. Mrs Siwatibau left university without a qualification and instead found work as a factory hand – a role which she held for <strong>10</strong> years. But with her 12-year-old daughter now applying for Burnside High School, she is ready to tackle a new challenge. “I think by seeing her grow and develop I decided that I have to follow my dreams too,” she said. Returning to study as an adult student Mrs Siwatibau has just secured one of 38 spots in the degree, for which 300 people applied. “Studying is a big self-esteem boost, it makes you feel good. For me, it just feels good coming back and relearning.” helloworld Avonhead Travel Presentation Thursday 19 <strong>April</strong>, 2pm Anthony Wilding Retirement Village We warmly invite you to attend a presentation from helloworld Avonhead. Katrina Vowels and the team from helloworld will be here along with APT Touring, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Lines to provide information about river, ocean and small ship cruising. We look forward to seeing you there! For more information please phone Claire on 03 338 7696 5 Corbett Crescent, Aidanfield 8<strong>10</strong>9
Change language