Bowater Honda helps out. Car maintenance skills welcomed by refugees
Horrible weather last Saturday did little to dent the enthusiasm of 16 former refugees who attended a 90-minute car maintenance course organised especially for them at Bowater Honda.
The session covering the basics, including changing a tyre, was organised by Nelson Multi Cultural Council Ignite worker Dev Mehta and run by Bowater Honda automotive technician Martin Stevenson.
The former refugees from Bhutan and Burma gave the session top marks.
Bharat Timsina said by learning some simple skills, the men could save money.
‘‘Most of the people here don’t even know how to change the water or oil, to be honest and they have to pay for it,’’ he said.
Useful skills: the crew at Saturday’s Nelson Multi Cultural Council’s car maintenance workshop for former refugees. Clockwise from centre left, co-ordinator Dev Mehta, Bharat Timsina, John van Lian, Govinda Regmi, La Guie, La Quare, Khuri Maunghlg, La Ruan, Ngun uk Thrang, Caw Tu, Biak Hlawnceu, Narayan Timsina and Bowater Honda automotive technician Martin Stevenson. PHOTO: MATT LAWREY
Ngun uk Thrang said it was a very good idea.
‘‘There are lots of things I want to learn. I want to learn everything,’’ he said.
Martin was happy to pass some of his knowledge.
‘‘It’s really helping people who haven’t done this before. You wouldn’t want see
someone stranded at the side of the road unable to change a wheel,’’ he said.
Dev is always looking for people like Martin who might be able to help former refugees living in Nelson.
‘‘If anyone has any skills they would like to share, please contact me,’’ he said.
Dev Metha can be contacted on 03 539 0030.
