MatchWorks project plants new hope for refugees
11 August 2009
Refugees from Burma and Sudan are the beneficiaries of MatchWorks latest Work for the Dole project.
Condemned play equipment and an unused garden space at the Werribee Community Centre have been replaced with a Balinese hutch and raised garden beds. These garden beds have been planted with produce we are accustomed to seeing in Australian supermarkets but also traditional Sudanese and Karen vegetables and herbs.
Wayaperri House, part of the Werribee Community Centre, is used by many new refugees to learn English as well as skills needed for every-day Australian life.
Growing produce can be an important part of Karen or Sudanese life, yet many refugees miss out on this opportunity as the suburban housing in their new country does not offer enough space. Growing their own garden enables them to maintain links to their community as well as their cultural practices.
The project took MatchWorks Work for the Dole participants six months to complete and involved 45 clients. Work included removing old play equipment, planting native and exotic plants, building 14 raised garden beds and timber seating, as well as painting the garden shed.
Tasks were designed to equip MatchWorks Work for the Dole participants with sought-after skills, including horticulture and construction.
MatchWorks General Manager, Michael Wasley, said the organisation was proud to be involved in such a worthwhile project.