A NHILL community enterprise has been recognised in the Victorian Learn Local awards.
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Nhill Learning Centre has been named a finalist in the awardd for its work with the town’s Karen community to set up Paw Po Products.
Centre chief executive Annette Creek said Paw Po Products started about two years ago.
“It is a social enterprise that works with the Karen refugees in Nhill,” she said.
“We now have a shop front in the town and run workshops using a variety of goods, including both Karen traditional fabric and modern ones.”
Paw Po Products started when the Karen women learned to sew at Nhill Learning Centre and the business venture grew from there.
The women weave their own textiles using traditional looms and designs and make a range of products, including aprons, cushion covers and bags
“The award we were nominated for is about innovation and diversity,” Mrs Creek said.
“We wanted to find creative ways to train and find pathways for these women in the community, as well as help them learn skills and interact with others.”
Mrs Creek said Paw Pro Products was incredibly important to the community.
“It provides a platform to help people integrate with other as well as gain new skills and be socially inclusive,” she said.
“We’ve had a shop front for the past year and we are now looking at ways we can take the business further, such as online shopping.”
Mrs Creek said the centre was pleased to be nominated for the award.
“We will head to Melbourne for the award ceremony on August 31 and hopefully we come away with the prize,” she said.
The awards recognise the contribution of more than 300 Learn Local organisations across Victoria.