OUR STORY
OUR VISION, MISSION, VALUES
OUR PEOPLE
OUR COLLABORATORS
AWARDS
OuR STORY
Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment Inc. is a not-for-profit charity that was founded in April 2013 by Charles and Francess Sesay, a husband and wife duo and passionate community leaders. They are on a mission to providing culturally safe space for people of all ages to gather and connect, develop skills and to ultimately become financially independent.
Our Story
Charles and his wife Francess came to Australia from Sierra Leone in 2007, leaving behind a long career in community leadership, education and training. As they rebuilt their life in Melbourne’s west, they developed strong connections with the African diaspora. They soon became concerned about the impact of unemployment, social isolation, lack of literacy and numeracy skills on women and young people in their local community. Charles and Francess were compelled to do something, and that is how Kontiki Cultural Women Empowerment was born.
Powered by donations of sewing machines, commitment to reduce fabric waste going into landfill, and with community’s unwavering enthusiasm, Francess successfully applied for the 2013 Brimbank City Council’s artist residency program and started running free sewing and gara tie-dye workshops for women and young people in a small art studio at the Hunt Club in Deer Park.
Before long, due to overwhelming interest from the community, the group sought bigger premises and once again Francess successfully secured an artist studio in Sunshine as part of Brimbank City Council artist residency program in 2014. Though this studio was significantly more spacious, the group remained on the look-out for a more suitable space. In 2016, the group secured a retail space in partnership with Sunshine Plaza where they have been operating since.
Though initially the group’s focus was on African women of all ages, the group responded to community need and expanded their reach. They now offer programs and activities that are inclusive of all people, regardless of their cultural heritage, gender or ability.
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