By CASEY NEILL
ABUK Bol couldn’t speak English when she arrived in Australia 10 years ago.
Today she helps other women from Sudan gain skills and find work to become self-sufficient.
Abuk received an Encouragement Award in the Greater Dandenong Australia Day Awards Corporate Citizen of the Year category.
“Abuk demonstrates the qualities of perseverance, determination, innovation and resilience in the way she now assists others to enrich their own lives,” the awards judges said.
She fled Sudan with her husband and children in 2004 and now calls Noble Park home.
“Back home I knew how to knit and how to sew,” she said.
“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.
She led a small group from the Twich community of South Sudan to establish the Twich Women’s Sewing Collective.
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 three 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.
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.
