Lioness Club

Gail, an Australian volunteer working with Australian Volunteers International in Maliana, East Timor, approached the Sutherland Shire Lioness Club to provide financial assistance to enable the local women to purchase treddle sewing machines for the Women's Sewing & Craft Group.

The families living in this area are mainly subsistence farmers with 10 or more children. The women, mostly illiterate rural people with little hope of employment, hope to produce clothing for their families and items to sell.

The Sutherland Shire Lioness responded with a donation of $1500 to purchase 4 sewing machines, craft materials and to cover the costs of staff from a Dili based NGO providing intial training and guidance. The Lionesses also cleaned out their cupboards and sent off a large amount of material, thread, needles etc.

The last photo shows President June being presented with a beautiful runner made by the women. This runner has become part of our club banner.