Each Monday during school term, a group of about 10 volunteers, 30 Afghan women and their children meet to practise English, share food and enjoy activities.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
August marks one year since the Women’s Friendship Group was formed to help foster connectedness and inclusion in Launceston.
The women have been visited by health representatives and police and participated in events including Harmony Day, community kitchens and the Tamar Valley Peace Festival.
Launceston woman Mandy Ritchie joined as a volunteer after the premature birth of her now one-year-old son, Peter.
I feel like I’ve reconnected with my community, like I’m involved in something now
- Mandy Ritchie
She said involvement in the group helped her adjust to life as a mother.
“I feel like I’ve reconnected with my community, like I’m involved in something now,” Ms Ritchie said.
Riverside woman Fatemeh Ebrahimi said the group had been a great help to women new to Launceston.
“I met lots of people. Here lots of women, they were very patient with [the women] learning English, and they try to help the ladies learn very simple words because they can’t speak English and now they’re very good,” she said.
The group meets Mondays at the Launceston NICS building from noon to 2pm.
