English Literacy
Sessions are held 5X weekly with up to 10 persons per session and are offered free of charge. In addition to language skills, participants gain confidence, make new friends, and feel more connected to Aussie culture. These lessons are tailored to help new and old migrants develop essential language skills for everyday life, including reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension. Thus, this program plays a crucial role in helping our ladies participate fully in society and access employment, education, and services. Our friendly and qualified volunteer teachers often lead small classes, making learning accessible and less intimidating.
Citizenship Test Preparation
Sessions are held 2X weekly (and upon request) with up to 10 persons per session with our qualified Volunteers working as required to prepare our ladies for their citizenship tests. The classes are designed to help our ladies understand the rights, responsibilities, and values associated with becoming a citizen in Australia. The aim of these classes is to
- Support migrants integrate into Australian society
- Empower migrants with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully navigate the citizenship process while preparing them for the citizenship test
- Contribute positively to their local communities.
Classes cover essential topics such as Australian history, government structure, laws, values, and the rights and responsibilities of citizens (all in the OUR COMMON BOND booklet available on the government website). Classes are delivered in a welcoming environment, while encouraging participation and community building among migrants.
Mother Language Literacy
Sessions are held 2X weekly with up to 10 persons per session. The initiative aims to support migrant communities in preserving their native languages, fostering social inclusion, and building confidence when adapting to life in Australia. The classes are taught by our qualified Volunteer teachers, mainly members of our migrant communities, to deliver lessons tailored to the needs of our ladies. Active languages include Dari, Pashto, and Arabic. We hope to include more languages in the future. The objectives are:
- Enable migrants to maintain and develop proficiency in their mother tongue.
- Promote intercultural understanding and appreciation of linguistic diversity.
- Support mothers in their educational, social, and emotional development.
- Encourage community participation and connection among migrant families
Sewing, Arts and Crafts
Sewing Sessions are held 2 X weekly while Arts and Crafts are based on demand. Zara’s House has been actively organising sewing classes aimed at supporting migrants in the local community. These classes are designed to foster social inclusion, build practical skills, and encourage self-reliance among our participants. The classes are run in small groups to ensure personalised attention. Sessions cover a range of topics, including basic stitching, garment repair, pattern reading, and creative projects. Our qualified volunteers and instructors guide participants through hands-on activities using donated materials and sewing machines.
The aims of these initiatives are to
- Equip migrants with practical skills – such as sewing and various crafts that can be used for personal or employment purposes, including local craft markets and small business ideas.
- Provide a welcoming environment to help build connections and friendships.
- Empower participants through creative activities and skill development.
- Promote cultural exchange and understanding within the broader community
- Encourage collaboration and friendship through group projects and community partnerships.
Our arts and crafts have mainly been project-based, realised in collaboration with partner organisations and community members, making each project a collective achievement. Materials and resources are often donated by supporters, further strengthening community ties. Our charity intends to offer more creative arts and crafts workshops with qualified volunteers in the future. We hope to continue collaborating with local organisations to reach more migrants and enhance the impact of our initiatives.
