Dunedin refugees Manahel Haroara and Ahlam Safar were both excited and a little nervous as they were taken on driving lessons around the city's streets.
Both were taking advantage of fundraising carried out by Afife Harris, who is keen to provide free driving lessons to as many newly arrived refugees as possible with the aim of giving them independence.
Speaking with the help of Mrs Harris, Mrs Haroara, who lost her husband in the Syrian conflict, said it was important for her to be able to drive and have independence because she lived by herself with her three children.
Mrs Safar, who had made it up to level two English classes at the Otago Polytechnic, said learning how to drive would help her start a new life in New Zealand and could help her find a job.
Originally from Lebanon, Mrs Harris knew how tough it could be to settle in a new country, and had seen research that showed the importance of having a driving licence when it caome to adjusting.
The focus at first would be to give lessons to refugees who had either lost family members or whose husbands were unable to learn to drive.
She wanted to thank Margaret and Bob Woodford, from the Cedars of Lebanon, who organised $3000 worth of funding from the Otago Motor Club Trust.
People wanting to contribute towards driving lessons can contact Mrs Harris at afife.harris@gmail.com.
