Support group to help immigrant mothers

A NEW group to support African mothers has been set up in Greater Dandenong.
An African mothers’ group was launched at the Paddy O’Donoghue Centre in Noble Park last Wednesday.
It is a joint initiative of the council and the State Government and aims to ease the transition of African mothers coming to Australia.
Since 2001, a significant number of African migrants have resettled in Greater Dandenong and the city is now home to people originally from Ghana, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria.
City of Greater Dandenong community services director June Dugina said providing services to help the resettlement process was important to the council.
“Resettling in a new country has many challenges and difficulties,” she said.
“Mothers really need a support service to not only cope with life in a new country but to overcome isolation barriers.
“The mothers may be from the one continent but speak many different languages so the group itself will be presented with many challenges.”
Ms Dugina said the council would also assist with childcare and transportation to encourage as many women as possible to attend the group.
“This will ensure isolation is not a factor when it comes to women receiving much-needed support services,” she said.
“Working in collaboration with other relevant service providers will be critical to ensure the women receive assistance and ongoing support.” African Women’s Project worker Paras Pappas will facilitate the group.