Aung Myo has won the ELPNZ 2020 Refugee Achievement Award!

While Covid-19 stopped ELPNZ’ s national award ceremony from happening in April, we made up for it by celebrating Aung’s achievement with Mayor Grant Smith, Councillors and Partners of the Welcoming Communities in Palmerston North.

Originally from Myanmar, Aung and his family fled to Thailand to escape the country’s political upheaval.  After 10 years in a refugee camp, Aung and his family were granted sanctuary in New Zealand.  To start a new life, Aung spent some time learning a new language.  Then an opportunity came to have a work placement at Palmerston North Panel and Paint Ltd.

Aung had experience in automotive painting back in Myanmar and he began to follow his dream to be an expert in this field with a job at Palmerston North Panel and Paint Ltd. He worked hard in studying a new language and settling in NZ raising a family of 3 boys. Today while working full time, he is also pursuing an apprenticeship in automotive refurbishing.

Keep it up Aung, following your dream to be a professional auto painter!

English Language Partners New Zealand is proud to share his acceptance speech below:

“Kia ora My name is Aung Myo.

First of all, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for granting me the Refugee Achievement Awards with ELPNZ and providing such an opportunity to attend special classes at ELP to improve my English language communication.

Now I have fewer language barriers than before and grasp a chance to take a course delivered by MITO Industry.

This acquired knowledge and skills definitely take a lead to my career development and then brighten the future of my family.

To sum up, I would like to say thank to my teachers, co-workers, employers and the New Zealand Government.

I will try my best to be a good citizen to serve New Zealand. Thank you!”

You can read more about ELPNZ 2020 Refugee Achievement Award winner Aung Myo’s achievements in New Zealand here.