The Women’s Program has undergone some changes throughout the years. In line with previous Women’s Projects, ECWA is expanding the program with a dedicated bilingual worker. Currently, there are sewing classes for all Sudanese women every Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at ECWA, which Grace from Boronia Multicultural Services organizes. Women are welcome to bring little ones.

Past initiatives

The Sudanese Settlement Service Women Project organized tailored workshops to enable the settlement of refugee women. The women met regularly to support each other and to fund-raise. Participants attended excursions to get to know Sydney and honored Equatorian cultural values and beauty within an Australian context. As part of this project, the women produced work during an expansive craft program and mounted an Exhibition of Woman Handcrafts. The women’s fine art has also been displayed during past Refugee Weeks. In addition, the women have sold works for income, self-employment, and self-reliance.

These exhibitions and projects have been supported by Blacktown Council, the Refugee Council of Australia, Mount Druitt Ethnic Community Agency (MECA) and the Victorian Adult Multicultural Education Services, which funded workshops through Healthy African Communities Grants.

Outcome

• The women have some time out for self-focus and creativity.
• The women develop awareness of opportunities available through the different information sessions and workshops.
• The women grow as leaders of the community or at least are able to participate more.
• The women meet with other women’s groups and participate in each other’s activities.

Interested in joining? Please contact the Chairlady, Esther Yogo on 0422 575 312.