Women’s Niche
The project offers safe social networking space incorporating sewing and computer class.
The project is funded by SGP and supplemented by CDSE. Local women from African background needed a place where they can meet new people and learn skills. After community consultation the target community identified they needed a sewing and computer class. CBMRC made a significant infrastructure investment in purchasing 15 sewing machines and updating computer training rooms.
The project has been received well by the community. It is very popular. The participants learn computer skills which they can immediately use for employment such as resume writing through word processing and web searching through navigating employment websites. The participants enjoy sewing. The group recruited an instructor from its own community. A great deal of socialising goes on during the class. The women relate to each other and laugh together. The class provides an excellent opportunity to deliver information sessions. Local service providers and easily access the existing group and disseminate the information.
The project found that it is a lot more effective when the target community is actively involved in need assessment process. Strong demand was made by the community that they want these specific activities.
Once a strong group is established it is a lot easier to incorporate other aspects of community capacity building
The group wants to take the opportunity to further develop the community. The group leader is in close contact with the local service network and exploring funding opportunities so that the group can self sufficiently provide services.
Read more:
Submitted by:
Se Gun Song
Small and Emerging Communities Worker
Canterbury Bankstown Migrant Resource Centre
59 Evaline St , Campsie, NSW, 2194
ph:02 9789 3744
email: segun.song@cbmrc.org.au
web: www.cbmrc.org.au
Categories:
Categories:Community Development, Employment, Women
Themes:Safe spaces, social groups, African, women
Release Date:22-Jun-2009
Date of Study:22-Jun-2009
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