Ethnic Women Art and Craft Group
Creator: Fahima Saied, New Settlers Family and Community Trust (NFACT)
Artform: craft / social enterprise
Timeframe: ongoing
Location: Māngere East Community Centre
Project Summary
We are fortunate to be able to offer continued support for the Māngere East Ethnic and Refugee Women Art and Craft Group, enabling the group to meet weekly for craft making and learning. The group have proudly exhibited their work in an exhibition and craft market last year at Māngere Arts Centre. This year the group are seeking support for their ongoing craft meet-ups, as well as to purchase a heavy duty marquee for the Cultural Festivals and Christmas Night Markets to sell and showcase their productions. Fahima has also asked for support to run two creative workshops to help the refugee women suffering with grief from the situation in Afghanistan.
The group consists of 20 locally-based women meeting on a weekly basis, and is growing.
Kohna Zari Ko
This year the Arts Broker has been supporting the group to establish a social enterprise platform to sell their craft and artworks online. With secured funding from Objectspace and from the MCH Ethnic Communities Development Fund, we are proud to have achieved Kohna Kari Ko, a mending and upcycling service with ‘drop-off’ locations across Auckland, including Māngere Arts Centre. Customers commission one of the services offered, an order and quote is confirmed with the group, the customer drops their item off and its returned once the order is completed. Please visit and support Kohna Zari Ko at: https://turningoldtogold.co.nz/
“It was a challenging year from many, especially women. Many women in the group lost their jobs and some of their income and as many are single mother with a number of young children to take of. The benefit of the project on women’s sense of belonging and cultural identity was massive. It supported women and girls with their resilient and emotional wellbeing and restore their self-esteem and confidence, and gave them a sense of purpose and hope for the future.” - Fahima Saeid, group organiser
Come along and make some new friends and learn how to sew traditional items like costumes, pillow cases and bags. Every Thursday from 4.30-6.30pm at the Mangere East Community Centre. For more information, contact Fahima Saeid 021 857 397
Supported by the Mangere East Community Centre and Refugees as Survivors NZ.
