Helen Dillon, owner of The Sewing Shop in the Australian Arcade, said she met two young refugees through David Yeates at the Business Enterprise Centre and the Wagga Multicultural Council. 

Ms Dillon said the women were learning how to sew through the community group Common Threads. 

“I had some come for a trial and then I employed Saira Ali and Hafiz Khedri and the Multicultural Council and the BEC helped me with the employment and now they have been working for three months,” she said. 

“Both girls have a great work ethic and they are very diligent and hardworking.”

Ms Dillon said sometimes members of the community might not realise what the refugees have to offer. 

“They have worked hard and they have suffered a lot and they just want to be given an opportunity and a chance to be a part of the community,” she said. 

“We don’t recognise the skills they bring and because they’re refugees we assume they're unskilled.”

Ms Dillon said they will have a laugh at the miscommunication when interpreting technical terms. 

“It’s important for them to be in an environment where they are encouraged to speak English and both girls have grown in their confidence,” she said. 

Ms Dillon said she would encourage other small businesses to look into the skills that new arrivals in the community have to offer. 

Hafiz Khedr, 25, arrived in Wagga in 2016, after leaving Afghanistan because it was not safe.

“Having a group like Common Threads was wonderful,” she said.

“One of the ladies told me about a position that was being advertised and being a part of the group gave me the confidence to apply.

“I would like to thank everyone that is included in the group including the teachers who volunteered their time and the other ladies who shared their knowledge. I love working with Helen, Michelle and Saira.” 

Saira Ali, 27, came to Wagga in 2015 from Pakistan after fleeing Afghanistan.

“Luckily I got the job and I enjoy working here and the staff are really supportive,” she said.

“I have never felt new here.” 

Both Ms Ali and Ms Khedr thanked Ms Dillon and the Wagga Multicultural Council and the BEC for giving them a chance.

Common Threads started in late 2017 when Wagga City Council allocated a grant to the Multicultural Council, who then partnered up with Wellways and STARTTS to get the group up and running.