Project Summary EN

19 from other women where she could discuss her situation and expectations, and to provide mutual support to one another. As a result of her engagement, Fardoza feels more confident. She has more knowledge of how to communicate with people in Austria and is now aware of local support services that she can access. This has included her being able to find a creche for her daughter and for her to be able to attend a college to further her education, something that she would not have been able to do in Ethiopia. Fardoza has recognised the importance of being independent and of networking with those around her. This has allowed her to play an active part in organising a Chiala festival where she could share aspects of her culture, as well as regularly attending an Ethiopian coffee ceremonie with other women. She recognises that she has both talents and interests now, and hopes to find employment in the future as a childcare assistant. Natalia is a 42 year-old woman who came to Cyprus 5 years ago from Russia in search of a better life. She had initially felt isolated in her new country being away from her family, but established a family for herself in her new homeland. Natalia became involved with the Project as she liked its philosophy and what it sought to achieve. Her involvement has given her self-confidence, self- determination and energy. She attended classes in the same school building that her children attend, as the Project was delivered through ‘Come to school with your child’ sessions’, and she has felt much happier. Natalia hopes to use this new energy and confidence to practice and teach dancing again, something she had done in Russia, and she is much more aware of her talents. Natalia has said ‘I would really like to thank you for holding this programme here for us. As a participant, I feel I have another mood and another energy and my mind is full of positive thoughts. Now I think about the future. Everything that is happening is really touching!’ Gloria is a 40 year-old woman originally from Nigeria who joined her husband in Italy 16 years ago. Initially her 3 children were unable to join her and this caused her distress. Once they were able to come to Italy, this had a very positive impact on her and her ability to cope with whatever happened in life. Gloria joined the MIE training as she was encouraged to do so by a teacher who thought she could learn something that would benefit her in the future. The training has been a positive for her, she enjoyed it and learned new things about other cultures, including a better appreciation of Italian culture and how she can use her skills to help others. Whilst the migrant women on the course were from