By CASEY NEILL
“I WANTED to go where I could save my life.”
This was Abuk Bol’s only thought as she fled Sudan with her husband and five children in 2004.
“Everybody knows why the Sudanese people leave our country – the war, a lot of fighting and trouble for everyone,” she said.
“When we got accepted to Australia I was so happy to come here because I wanted to save my life.”
She settled in Springvale, now lives in Noble Park and has added two more children to her family.
“When I came here I didn’t have any English,” Abuk said.
“It’s hard to get a job and communicate with people.
“Back home I knew how to knit and how to sew.
“When I came here I tried to look for a job in what I know. But I didn’t have a certificate.”
The 39-year-old studied and got a job in the textiles industry, but found it hard to fit into the workplace.
“I didn’t want to work by myself, I wanted to work in a team,” she said.
She also wanted to help other women in her situation, so Abuk led a small group from the Twich community of South Sudan to establish the Twich Women’s Sewing Collective.
“I opened this shop to talk with people,” she said.
The Twich shopfront in Dandenong combines retail, manufacturing and studio spaces, allowing visitors to view the full design and production process.
The not-for-profit organisation provides training in retail and manufacturing, including certificate III in clothing production in association with RMIT University.
“Even if you don’t get a certificate, you will know to how to use the sewing machines,” Abuk said.
They make chair covers for hire, and colourful African-inspired clothing.
Varying skill levels are required at different parts of the process – from marking and cutting patterns to sewing, ironing and deliveries.
“People with children can’t leave them and go to work. You can come at night and iron,” Abuk said.
“When you’ve ironed two or three times you can buy toys for your children.”
With help, she secured Twich’s Government Services Office location rent-free.
“We just pay outgoings,” she said.
But the three-year rent-free deal expires next year.
“We don’t really make any money here. We make money sometimes, but it’s going back to people to help them,” she said.
So Abuk is seeking ways to raise funds. She held a successful fashion parade at Dandenong Market in August as part of the City of Greater Dandenong textiles festival Cultural Threads.
“People are interested to do another one,” she said.
“We will charge entry to raise money. But I don’t know how to organise it.”
As well as keeping the store going, Abuk is determined to help her homeland.
“I’m thinking in a few years I can do something for back home, to teach them or to make a shop for them,” she said.
“This country is a good country. There’s freedom to everyone to do what they can.
“You have to try your best.”
The store is at Shop 6, 46 Walker Street, Dandenong, and is open 10.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Call 9792 3343 to hire or buy chair covers, or donate fabric or mannequins.
