Mid Canterbury
February 2013, No 2
”A mind is like a parachute, it doesn’t work if it isn’t open.”
Frank Zappa
Enjoy the cultural spirit!
6th February
In This Issue
Multi Cultural Bite ……..1
Cultural Space....….…....2
Traditional recipe from
Palestine ........... ..…....3
Next settling-in meeting..………..……………..4
What’s on this month .. 5
Everybody is welcome
to join in!
You will be able to enjoy
food from Nepal, Samoa,
Chile, Argentina, Thailand,
Singapore, New Caledonia,
Fiji, Indian, Japan and many
other countries…
Our performance list is full
of amazing dances and
songs form South America,
Africa, the Pacific Islands
and other continents and
countries!
If you have children, they
will definitely enjoy playing
international games and
getting their faces painted
with flags and cultural symbols!
Welcome Newcomers!
We are an informal social
network which supports
people in the Mid
Canterbury Region.
‘Newcomers’ can help you
get in touch with local
people, clubs and
organisations. We hope to
help you feel at home in
your new environment.
Please feel free to come
along to our activities or
contact me. We look
forward to meeting you!
Contact Us
Daria Glesser
Mid Canterbury Newcomers
Network
20 Williams St
Ashburton, 7700
P: (03) 308-13-95
E: [email protected]
W: www.newcomers.co.nz
Hours:
Mon to Friday 9:30 am
to 3:00 pm
CULTURAL SPACE
The place where you can share stories about your culture and
yummy recipes popular in your home country! Today Hiba from
Palestine will share her story with us!
I’m Hiba I come from Palestine. I’m married to
Youssef and I have 4
children. My eldest
daughter is Fayza and she
studies at Ashburton
College. My second
daughter is Shams, she’s
thirteen years old. My
youngest daughter is Rawaa and she’s twelve years
old and my youngest kid is Hussein he’s seven years
old. Palestine is located in the Middle East. Its capital
is Jerusalem. Palestine is a historical land where all
divine religious started. It is a very beautiful country
where you can visit ancient places and civilisation.
Palestine has so many different natural features
such as mountains,
plains, dunes, rivers,
Mediterranean Sea, vales
and forests. The weather
in Palestine is very
moderate. The people
there are very educated
and very open to the other cultures because Palestine
has lived through so many civilisations such as old
Roman, Islam, Turkish, Canaanites and Farsi etc.
I have experienced two different lives in New Zealand.
When I arrived in NZ in September 2009 I lived in
Auckland city for two and a half years. It was very hard
for me because it was the first time for me living away
from my parents and my homeland. In time I have
made some kiwi friends and friends from our
community. My warm relationship with my new
friends has lessened my home sickness. I had a joyful
time with friends going outdoors, enjoying the nature
of NZ and many spectacular events. A year ago I
joined my husband in Ashburton where he has started
his new job with the council. I have made some kiwifriends and some from the New Comers group.
World wisdom
The absent are always at fault.
Spanish
Years and sins are always more than owned.
Italian
Nodding the head does not row the boat.
Irish
He who cannot dance puts the blame
on the floor.
Hindu
The shortest answer is doing.
English Proverb
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Falafel ( ‫) فالفل‬
Deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas and fava beans
You will need:
Facts about Palestine
1 cup of chick peas
2 cups of peeled beans
2 onions
1 head of garlic
Bunch of parsley
2 TS spoon salt
Method:
1- soak the chick beans and peeled beans for 10 hours.
2- Grind all the ingredients.
3- Heat the oil in fry pan and fry the falafel till it colour turns gold.

The word “Palestine” originates from the
word “Philistia”, given by the Greek writers to the land of the Philistines.

Jerusalem is the capital of Palestine.

Palestine covers an
area of 6,020 square
kilometres.

Muslims make up a
majority of Palestinians though there is a large population of
Christians as well.

The official language is Arabic, the script
of which is written from the right to the
left.

Population of Palestinian territories is
about 4 million; West Bank is 2.5 million
and Gaza Strip is 1.5 million.

Bethlehem celebrates Christmas 3 times a
year: Once on December 25 - per western
tradition, then on 6 January as per the
Greek Orthodox Church and then on 18
January, as per the Armenians.

Dead Sea, the lowest natural point of ele-
International Cooking Classes
Do you enjoy cooking? Would you like to share your
cultural dishes? Then you are welcome to join!
We will meet fortnightly for a cooking lesson and a
cup of tea.
Register your interest before the 1st of March
By contacting or texting Daria on 027 220 8791
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Wednesday 20th February at 7 pm!
Our first settling-in meeting this year will be devoted to India! A land of Snake Charmers, holy cows
and contrasts! Please come and bring your friends to learn more about the country and try its yummy food!
At the beginning of our meeting we will have
speakers from the educational services.
When: Wednesday, 2oth February at 7 pm
Place: St Davids Church Hall, 48 Allens Rd
Free Admission
For further information contact:
Daria Glesser
Mid Canterbury Newcomers
Network Coordinator
027 220 87 91
Line Dancing classes !!!!!!
If you have never tried line dancing before and you love country music, give it a go!!!
Every last Saturday of the month!
When: 30th February at 8 pm!
Place: 159 Cochranes Rd, turn right at the second gateway after Elgin Rd. There is a wooden sign saying Elgin Farm. David Fisher
Fee: $2
The Incredible Years Programme
Designed to develop positive family relationships, empower parents to make
change ,to manage difficult behaviour. It's practical step by step suggestions help in
handling everyday situations parents face.
It's a good opportunity for parents/caregivers to come together and talk and develop
long term friendships.
It's fun and it's open to everyone-care givers and parents
Cost-FREE
The programme runs for 14weeks.
Each session is for 2 hours and we can provide a babysitter while parents attend the class .
Also if you don't drive and need someone to pick you up and drop you off ,we can arrange for that also.
For more information please contact Torika at Presbyterian Support on 3085868 or 027 937 2575.
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What’s on this month?
Other things to do
Newcomers Chat Group
Would you like to get to know other people and cultures, improve your
English in an interactive way, enrich your vocabulary with kiwi words, learn other languages and
teach your own one? Join us! This month we are going to have our group on 13th February at the
Ashburton Learning Centre at 7:00 pm. The topic “Australia”
Gold coin donation.
For more information contact Daria on 3081395 or 027 220 87 91
Film Society
Regent Cinema and the Ashburton Art Gallery are happy to organize the
evening. Tickets are $15 from Regent Cinema. Join us for refreshments inspired by the movie and a
discussion at the Ashburton Art Gallery following the movie. This time we are going to watch a drama “Hitchcock” based on true story.
For more information go to
http://www.regentcinema.co.nz/index.php/film-society
Film starts at 5.45 pm on Wednesday 30th January in Regent Cinema.
Newcomers Playgroup in the Domain
Every Monday at 3.30 pm we meet at the Playground with our children (age doesn't matter).
Come and join us!
For more details contact Kelly Gilson on 9081029, e-mail: [email protected]
Multicultural Playgroup (organized by “Presbyterian Support”)
Every Monday 1pm-3pm
For more details contact Torika Patterson at Presbyterian Support on 3085868 or Thelma Bell on
0212593270
Address: 222 Cameron Street, Ashburton
Zumba Fitness
Are you ready to party yourself into shape? That’s exactly what the Zumba® program is all about.
It is a real "multicultural event" where you will be surrounded by lots of people coming from all over
the world, enjoying a Latin-inspired dance-fitness programme and an absolutely unbelievable atmosphere!
For more information contact Paula 027 8565143
Newcomers Coffee morning group
Let’s have a chat and practise some Kiwi English! All welcome!
Every Thursday at 10:30 am at McDonalds conference room.
124 West Street
Contact Iris on o210582125
Settling-in meeting
Come and meet other people!
Every thirdWednesday of the month.
When: Wednesday, 20th February at 7 pm
Place: St Davids Church Hall, 48 Allens Rd
Contact Daria on 027 220 8791
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