Our Programs
Zara’s House Teams are involved in the following activities:
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English Conversation and Literacy Education
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Mother-Language literacy classes in Arabic and Dari/Pashtu
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Arabic and Dari/Pashtu classes to assist refugees with their preparation for the Australian citizenship test
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Child-minding whilst mothers attend classes and group gatherings
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Bilingual Education, based on Montessori principles, for children with little English and no experience of schooling and learning
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Dari/Pashtu classes for school children
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Sewing, Arts and Crafts
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Make-up and Beauty, Women’s Health
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Assistance to deal with Centrelink and Financial Management
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Micro-Business Facilitation and Budgeting
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Management, Logistics and Administration
Term 3 2023 Classes
Monday: 10.00 - 11.00 English Language
11.00 - 12.00 Citizenship Test Lessons
Tuesday: 10.00 - 11.00 English Language/ Citizenship Test Lessons
11.00-12.00 Afghan Dance Class
Wednesday: 10.00 - 12.00 English Language
11.00 - 12.00 Citizenship Test Lessons
11.30 - 12.30 Sewing (English)
Thursday: 10.00 - 11.00 English Language/ Citizenship Class
11.00 - 12.00 Dari and Pashtu Language class
12.00 - 1.00 Afghan Sewing (Dari & Pashtu)
Friday: 10.00-11.00 English Language/ Citizenship Class
11.00-12.00 Dari Language Class
12.00-1.00 Yoga Class
Why We Do What We Do
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Following international research and extensive discussion with the faculty of the University of Newcastle School of Education, we are lead to believe that a Mother-Language Literacy Program – offered to Arabic or Dari native speakers, illiterate in their own mother language – will lead to facilitated English literacy acquisition. The teachers in these classes are educated native speakers; mostly former primary school teachers from Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan
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Our ‘Using English in Australia’ program for both beginners and intermediate students is intended to be in addition to Government-funded English programs. Most of our tutors are Australian-trained ESOL teachers. We also have the facilities for computer education and citizenship test preparation.
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For mothers of babies and young children to attend literacy classes, they need child-minding to be available. Our Bi-Lingual Early Childhood Socialisation and Language space is full of stimulating and fun activities for the little ones. It is close enough for the mothers to be in touch if necessary, but out of sight, so both might get on with their own programs.
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Many of the women have already outstanding dressmaking and other arts and crafts skills. We provide the facilities for sewing, embroidery and cooking jams and other preserves. Some of the produce forms the basis of micro-business enterprises.
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With our partners from the Multicultural Health team, STARTTS, Family Planning and other services we are able to provide the facilities at Zara’s House for sessions in women’s health, family relationships, yoga and relaxation, drumming and Families in Cultural Transition.
