Mrs Al Ashram is one of 187 refugees who have arrived in Dunedin this year after the city was chosen as a resettlement location.
Yesterday, she and her son Ahmad Alhamwi* reflected on their first seven months in the city and she was beaming when asked what she thought of her new home.
"I think coming to Dunedin is the best thing that has happened to me in my life."
She had made a lot of friends and connected with her neighbours, who she shared Syrian cuisine with.
"I’m a very sociable person."
In particular she wanted to thank Red Cross volunteer Lynette Will, who was assigned to help her settle in.
"She has taken my hand through this journey and supported me."
Learning English had been difficult — she mostly spoke with the help of Red Cross resettlement case worker and interpreter Rula Talahma — but she was getting better.
"I am able to communicate with others even if it is not fully understanding the whole context."
She had also taken a computing course.
Since getting an electric wheelchair three months ago she had gained a newfound independence and was able to get around the city on her own by bus.
"Before I got it, it was difficult because I would need to wait for Ahmad to come home from school and help me push my old wheelchair."
She still thought of the troubles back home "every day".
"[My other son] is still left behind in Syria and I hope soon he will be contacted and have the opportunity to come here and join the family."
She was thankful for the welcome she had received and wished everyone in the city a merry Christmas.
Despite Christmas not being part of the Muslim tradition, it was not new to her as it was celebrated by the significant Christian populations back home in Damascus and in Lebanon, where she escaped to from Syria.
"During Christmas I used to go to my Christian friends and neighbours and wish them a joyful season.
"People here understand and respect our traditions, so in a reciprocal way we understand and respect their traditions, as well."
Her son Ahmad Alhamwi's English had improved a lot since their arrival and he could reply to most questions without the aid of an interpreter.
He was set to start at King's High School next year and even though the holidays had just begun he was already looking forward to going back to school.
Red Cross client services team leader Christelle Burger said it had been a busy year for the organisation, which had worked alongside the Government and the Dunedin community to resettle refugees in the city.
She believed that the resettlement of refugees had been a success.
"The Dunedin community has been very welcoming to families, neighbours have made connections," Ms Burger said.
The refugees were becoming increasingly involved in the community and added cultural vibrancy to the city.
The city would continue taking in groups of refugees every eight weeks next year and into the future, with the next group arriving in March.
The Red Cross store room was packed with donations, but a few items they were still looking for included duvets and lawn mowers.
*Ahmad has a different last name to his mother because women keep their maiden name after marriage in Syria.
