The business is called Paw Po Products, which means little flower in Karen, and sells hand-made items including aprons, bags and flowers.

The women are Karen refugees from Burma and they had been stay-at-home mums since the community colonised in Nhill.

However, they have now started a business and are learning the art of sewing. 

Nhill Learning Centre chief executive Annette Creek said staff at the centre had taught the women to sew. 

“It started as a recreational program to teach them sewing skills,” she said. 

“It grew from there.

“In that program the women wanted to get Karen fabrics to sew in their native material and they ended up designing different products.” 

The Karen ladies also wanted to knit native products and then combine the items with modern products.

“We used to import the fabric from Thailand but now they are weaving their own native fabrics,” Mrs Creek said. 

Nhill Learning Centre staff work with the women in the shop, teaching them how to sew, along with business management skills. 

The shop includes a workshop out the back, where the women can continue learning. 

The women sew a range of items to sell including aprons, oven mitts, cushion covers, pouches and bags.

The federal government and the Nhill Learning Centre each contributed $10,000 to the shop to get it up and running. 

“This shop is a huge benefit for the community,” Mrs Creek said. 

“It fills an empty shop, boosts the economy, and the interaction it creates between the Karen community and the Nhill community is a big part of it.”

Workers from the Nhill Learning Centre will be on hand at Paw Po Products to continue mentoring the women.

“We believe having this shop is very positive for the community and the women involved,” Mrs Creek said.

“I hope it continues to be positive as it provides jobs for more people and creates friendships.”  

Mrs Creek said people could visit the Paw Po Products Facebook page for more information. 

The shop is open on Wednesdays and Thursdays.