MADCOW program cleaning for a cause

These days, the 55-year-old Karen man is a cleaner in Bendigo. 

Education paved the way for employment for Bah Baw.

He said he had few opportunities to undertake formal studies in Myanmar. 

But he was enrolled in an English language program shortly after arriving in Australia. 

“The TAFE told us he would be really good,” MADCOW Cleaning manager Maree Shay said. 

MADCOW stands for Make A Difference Change Our World – the philosophy underlying the program, which provides training and employment in professional cleaning for the city’s refugee and youth population.

“We’re trying to help them to make a difference,” Maree said.  

The language barrier is one of the greatest challenges faced by both the employers and the Karen workers.

Another is the unfamiliarity of Australian homes and businesses, which vary greatly from those in Myanmar.  

However, Maree said Bah Baw had learnt much since he joined the team as a casual employee.

“It took about six bathrooms to learn how to clean a bathroom,” she said. 

She said Bah Baw had never seen what people might consider a typical Australian bathroom until he arrived in the country.

Bah Baw was vacuuming when the Bendigo Advertiser met him at the Life Essentials Community Hub in Bendigo. 

“Eventually he will end up doing gardening as well,” Maree said. 

She said she had noticed an improvement in Bah Baw’s English since he started working.  

MADCOW Cleaning has helped more than 40 Karen residents attain a certificate of cleaning, since its inception.

The program has been awarded a $12,000 Baptcare Community Engagement Grant, and operates out of Bendigo Baptist Community Care Incorporated.