ZONTA Help’s Galilee’s Young Mums

Galilee’s LIFT Project provides living skills for young people aged 15-21 through peer education, pre-vocational training and personal development. LIFT attempts to develop a sense of independence and to assist in providing opportunities in the community such as education, accommodation and employment. The LIFT Project also aims to focus on participants’ personal achievements by working on improving self-esteem and confidence, raising community awareness and by increasing a sense of belonging for each young person.

Since November 2009, LIFT has been working with a group of young mothers, who are housed in St Vincent de Paul family homes. Once a week, the young mothers and their children come to the LIFT building and are engaged in the making of handmade craft items. The LIFT Coordinator facilitates the program and offers assistance in the supervision and care of the children. The young women have played a role in the structure of the program by choosing the projects they work on and regularly engage in group discussions regarding the future direction of the group. The craft group have built up a stock base of product ready for marketing and have investigated possible local retail outlets and market stalls.

The Zonta Club of Canberra have generously donated 2 sewing machines, an overlocker and bolts of fabric to the craft group. 

Founded in 1919, Zonta International is a global organisation of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta commissioned the young women to produce toiletry bags to be given to refuge residents and mastectomy pillows to be given to women following breast surgery. The participants are paid for each piece produced. The machines are also used for the girls’ own projects in the form of clothes for themselves and their children, as well as curtains and cushions. Two of the young women are developing a range of unique clothing designs, for adults and children that they hope to produce and sell through local retail outlets. Thanks to the Zonta Club of Canberra, Canberra women in need have the opportunity to assist themselves, and other women in need also.