Date/Time
Date(s) - February 2, 2024 - February 4, 2024
12:00 am

Categories

• BMRSG

Are you interested in hosting one or two refugee women on the weekend of 2^nd-4^th February 2024.

The BMRSG is coordinating a Cultural Exchange weekend in conjunction with the African Women’s Support Group (AWSG) and STARTTS (Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors).

The Cultural Exchange Program is an initiative of the AWSG, initially run by volunteers. It focused first on African women and has since expanded to involve refugee women from many communities including Iraq, Syria, Iran and Afghanistan. The idea is for women who are often socially isolated and have little opportunity to travel and meet Australians in regional areas to have an experience they would not otherwise undertake on their own, showing them country NSW, meeting with Australian families and sharing their stories and culture. The women are usually clients of STARTTS. The organisers have found the program brings significant benefits and learnings to both the women participants and the hosts. The visitors report they feel more confident and understand more about Australia and the hosts say they have learned more about migration issues as they affect individuals.

The Cultural Exchange visits take place over a three day weekend where the women are hosted by local families who organise activities that showcase their area. In exchange the women agree to showcase their culture through cooking, storytelling, song and dance. Typically each visit welcomes around 20-25 women and ideally each host would agree to host one or two women.

The Blue Mountains has been chosen by STARTTS and AWSG because it is known for its beauty and support for refugees.  A program of activities for the weekend is being worked on by members of the BMRSG. We will need volunteers in the Upper Mountains to billet the women for 2 nights.

Please contact Kathie Herbert on kherbert@aapt.net.au for further information and to register your interest.

Photo from recent Cultural Exchange weekend in Berry