On Friday, the families met with volunteers from the Women’s Friendship Group to learn about best practices, maintenance their crops and converse with the community. 

The Women’s Friendship Group launched the community garden initiative a few months ago, with immense success. 

Robyn Flittner, one of the group’s three founders, said they ran a gardening day and more than 100 people from the Afghan community attended. 

“It was a beautiful day,” she said. 

Volunteers realised they do a lot with the Afghan women, but many of the men miss out. 

The community garden initiative is an activity the entire family can participate in. 

Afghan refugee Jomeh worked in an almond pomegranate and pistachio orchid in Iran, but he doesn’t have space for a garden at his home in Launceston. 

“I love to spend my time in the community garden. It is relaxing and gives me something to look forward to,” he said. 

The Women’s Friendship Group meets every Monday at the Northern Integrated Care building at the Launceston General Hospital. 

Ms Flittner, Ross Lewis and Mary Binks discussed the need for a group to support Afghani women who are living in Northern Tasmania, but are isolated because they care for small children and are unable to access English classes. 

“It has grown from a dozen people to start with to [up to] 30 women come with their children every week to learn English, play games and just have fun,” Ms Flittner said.