An 11-year-old Auckland girl has been inspired to help Syrian refugees after realising there are children just like her living in cities under siege.
Maungawhau School student Claudia Harris has a personal goal to raise $5000 through a Givealittle page.
"There is a refugee fund here in Mount Albert and I will probably give it to them," she says.
Claudia says her class has been looking at ways conflict causes people to change. Her teacher, Neetu Ismail, says the main thing the students have taken away is a deeper understanding of where people come from.
Ms Ismail says her class "just wants to do a little bit to give back".
Claudia's class baked goods over the weekend and held a bake sale on Monday at the school. They raised double than what they first expected, with a total of $1125.
"The money we raise today at school will be given to UNICEF and then the money will go to buying stuff like food and clothes for the refugees," Claudia says.
A UNICEF spokesperson says New Zealanders are recognising that refugees are normal people with families just like Kiwis, the difference being these families are living in camps or even in cities under siege in Syria.
"I think that fundamental humanity that brings us together with the internet, with videos, with the media, understanding that these children are just like them and that these families are just like us is moving Kiwis to donate more than ever before," the UNICEF spokesperson says.
Claudia's classmate, Emma Gowan, also says other New Zealanders need to take action.
"People should help [refugees] so they have a better chance at living a better life."
Newshub.
