When war erupted in Ukraine, siblings Kareem (18), Marwan (17) and Yasmina (16) Samy were forced to leave behind a life they loved. Torn between their heritage and the need for safety, their journey back to Aotearoa New Zealand became one of learning and hope.
The Samy whānau
Born in Maryland, USA, the Samy siblings spent their early years in New Zealand. Their parents had moved here in search of a better life, and for 15 years the family laid down roots before relocating to their mother’s homeland, the vibrant city of Kyiv.
“Kyiv is so beautiful,” says Yasmina.
“We enjoyed spending time with our family, especially our grandparents,” adds Marwan.
“The architecture and the frozen lakes in Kyiv are a sight to behold,” remarks Kareem.
By 2021, life in Ukraine was rich with culture, family and community. But when Russia invaded, everything changed. Their parents had to make an urgent decision, stay in a war zone, or return to the safety of Aotearoa.
“It was hard to leave our family behind,” Yasmina says.
“The airport was chaos. We were on one of the last flights out,” recalls Marwan.
“When we called home to Kyiv, we could hear bombs in the background,” says Kareem.
Thankfully, their extended family survived those early days of the war. While still abroad, their mother, a qualified accountant and maths teacher, enrolled the children in Te Kura to keep their education on track. When the family returned to Aotearoa, they continued their studies.
“At first it was a big change, but once I settled in, it worked,” says Yasmina.
“Te Kura gave me freedom. I could choose assessments that interested me. I could study on weekends and spend time with family during the week,” shares Marwan.
“Te Kura provided us the opportunity to study at an excelled level,” says Kareem.
Each sibling took their own path forward, using Te Kura as a springboard into new futures.
Kareem has graduated and is now studying Information Systems and Project Management at Massey University. He enjoys problem-solving and is aiming for a career in construction or finance.
Marwan is studying Health Sciences at the University of Otago, with plans to work in medicine or physiotherapy. Outside of study, he’s a keen tennis player and dreams of playing professionally.
Yasmina is in her final year at Te Kura, completing NCEA in Chemistry, Biology, Calculus, Physics, Statistics and Art History. She’s looking to pursue an Engineering degree at the University of Auckland.
More than academic success, the siblings carry a strong sense of purpose.
“I’d love to explore abroad and see where life takes me,” says Yasmina.
“I want to help people and make a difference,” adds Marwan.
“I want to give back to our parents. They sacrificed everything for us,” says Kareem.
The Samy siblings know they didn’t make the journey alone. With the steady support of their Te Kura kaiako, Mike Williams, and a flexible learning environment that met them where they were — both abroad and back in Aotearoa — they’ve been able to rebuild, dream big, and move forward with purpose.
Their mother says it best:
“Te Kura was a lifesaver. It gave my children a chance to continue learning in the New Zealand system and prepare for university. Mike was an incredible supervisor, and the teachers were so supportive. Most of all, Te Kura taught my children to be independent and responsible.”