Thank you from Puketapapa Community Driving School

Amie from Kelston

Four years ago at the launch of Puketapapa Community Driving School (PCDS) we cut the ribbon on our first practice car with Harry Doig, former chair of Puketapapa Local Board. Thanks to all your generous donation, we'd love to gather in thanksgiving and cut the ribbon on our new practice car once we get the green light.

PCDS is turning 4 this December so we'd like to share FANTASTIC 4 community stories on the importance of getting driver licence. Here are the feedback from four learners who chose Puketapapa Community Driving School - knowing that our social enterprise mission is to use the income from fully-paid driving lessons to give subsidised lessons for former refugees especially single mothers facing multiple barriers to getting licence.

Serene: I was able to help my mum during lockdown. My mum is a health worker and she can’t take bus all the time. So it was my duty to drop her to work. Now I can drive alone buy some groceries and stuff. This is a little bit help for my family. Driving was my first step to help my family. Without the driving licence I was dependent on my family. Now I can help them to go anywhere and buy some stuff.

Nina: I’ve been able to help my family more like getting groceries, dropping off my brother and picking up from school. From a personal perspective it has given me a lot of confidence. As a young person, whenever you are with your friends, there is a stigma of you still having your learner’s. I chose to enrol at PCDS as I always thought the social enterprise side of the business is amazing. The buy one and give one for someone with refugee background and struggling to afford a driving lesson was really cool. I really like the fulfilment it gave me that my money would be going towards someone in need and potentially make a difference in their lives.

Jojo: Getting a licence is very helpful while I’m studying in Uni and working. In NZ the public transport is not as good with other countries. Especially for the buses you have to wait, unlike other countries its frequent. Driver licence here is a must.

Cristine: Before I just ride a bus. Sometimes the bus would take a while so it was hard for me especially going home late. Now I’m working as a support worker. I drive a lot going to my clients’ homes. Excellent cause, you are really helping the migrants and refugees to learn to drive.

THANK YOU AGAIN to our champion supporters, and to each and everyone who pitched in to help us get new practice car so we can have more community success stories in 2022!

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