Kenyi and Nancy wear traditional outfits at the African Women Support Group’s end-of-year celebration.
By Lia Bichel
REFUGEES from the African Women Support Group have gathered at the Public Hall in Dandenong North for a celebration to commemorate a year of socialising, sharing and learning.
More than 35 women from Afghanistan, Burma, and Sudan are part of the support group, which gives women the opportunity to learn skills in child and aged care, cleaning, literacy and numeracy, English, computers and driving.
Facilitator Mary Bazeia moved to Australia from Sudan, and has been involved with the group since it was formed in 2007.
“It is important for these women to come together and know what opportunities are available to them,” Ms Bazeia said. “It is important for them to know that we can help them with their needs.”
During the end-of-year celebrations, women from the group ate food from each woman’s country, listened to traditional music, and performed traditional dances.
“It was a very good day,” Ms Bazeia said. “It wasn’t only about celebrating Christmas, but to share and integrate each other’s communities and nationalities.”
