ARCHDIOCESE OF SYDNEY RELEASE:
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
8 Jun 2012
Cooking classes hosted by asylum seekers and refugees from Sydney's House of Welcome not only introduced locals to the delights of Congolese and Ugandan cuisine as well as delicious dishes from Pakistan and Sri Lanka, but proved such a success that North Sydney Community Centre has already booked a second series of classes for later in the year.
"We had big waiting lists for each of the three classes and could easily have filled another two classes," says Joanna Juin. "The response was fantastic and so was the feedback."
Billed as "A Welcome Feast - Meet, Learn and Eat," the community cooking classes were the brainchild of the House of Welcome at Carramar. A project of the Franciscan Friars with the Archdiocese of Sydney as one of the main funders, the House of Welcome is one of just two agencies offering accommodation, financial and other assistance to refugees and asylum seekers awaiting visas and final clearance, as well as offering a range of support and help during their transition to life in Australia.
"A small amount of money was raised from those who enrolled in the classes but the object wasn't to raise funds, but instead to give the refugees an opportunity to share their stories, cuisine and culture with the wider community," says Jo Lee, volunteer and funding co-ordinator with the House of Welcome. "It was also a wonderful chance for the refugees to grow in confidence, have their skills acknowledged and realise just how much they have to offer."
But most of all it was an opportunity for everyday Australians to see refugees not through the prism of 'illegals' and politically-created stereotypes but instead as people who have been disenfranchised but are no different from you or me. It was a chance to put a human face on refugees and change perceptions, not just among those who took the classes but through word of mouth with their friends and communities."
Home cooking Sri Lankan and Pakistani-style proved a big hit but it was the third class in the Welcome Feast series, offering an introduction to Ugandan and Congolese cooking that intrigued with most of those who enrolled in this class unsure what to expect.
"Most people have no knowledge of Congolese or Ugandan cuisine," Jo says and describes the delicious goat curry that was cooked and later shared with everyone, along with the East African dish of Ugali which is known as "fufu" in the Congo and "posho" in Uganda. A staple starch it is made into a ball and dipped into stews and sauces much as Europeans use dumplings with to sop up juices.
The teachers chosen for each class were all current or former clients at the House of Welcome. Two of the classes were given by married couples and the one was taught by a married woman whose husband was unable to accompany her as he was working.
"Some of those teaching began the class with their own personal stories while others were more shy but as the class went on and they relaxed and passed on their stories."
For one of the couples their story only came out after someone in class asked them how the pair had met and married. That's when the class learned how shortly after the wedding the couple had been forced to flee their homeland which was caught up in a bloody civil war.
"The classes were filled with warmth and laughter and at the end of a class, one of those there welcomed the refugee teachers to Australia and asked them to come and visit. It was a lovely moment," says Jo.
To Now the North Sydney Community Centre has pencilled in dates in early October for the next series of Welcome Feasts hosted by refugees and asylum seekers from the House of Welcome.
To find out more about the House of Welcome log on to www.houseofwelcome.com.au
Catholic Communications, Sydney Archdiocese,
8 Jun 2012
Pakistani cuisine with a difference at cooking classes
hosted by newly arrived refugees
hosted by newly arrived refugees
"We had big waiting lists for each of the three classes and could easily have filled another two classes," says Joanna Juin. "The response was fantastic and so was the feedback."
Billed as "A Welcome Feast - Meet, Learn and Eat," the community cooking classes were the brainchild of the House of Welcome at Carramar. A project of the Franciscan Friars with the Archdiocese of Sydney as one of the main funders, the House of Welcome is one of just two agencies offering accommodation, financial and other assistance to refugees and asylum seekers awaiting visas and final clearance, as well as offering a range of support and help during their transition to life in Australia.
Ugandan and Congolese cuisine is delicious
and goat curry a favouirite
and goat curry a favouirite
But most of all it was an opportunity for everyday Australians to see refugees not through the prism of 'illegals' and politically-created stereotypes but instead as people who have been disenfranchised but are no different from you or me. It was a chance to put a human face on refugees and change perceptions, not just among those who took the classes but through word of mouth with their friends and communities."
Home cooking Sri Lankan and Pakistani-style proved a big hit but it was the third class in the Welcome Feast series, offering an introduction to Ugandan and Congolese cooking that intrigued with most of those who enrolled in this class unsure what to expect.
"Most people have no knowledge of Congolese or Ugandan cuisine," Jo says and describes the delicious goat curry that was cooked and later shared with everyone, along with the East African dish of Ugali which is known as "fufu" in the Congo and "posho" in Uganda. A staple starch it is made into a ball and dipped into stews and sauces much as Europeans use dumplings with to sop up juices.
Substituting certain vegetables for Chinese
vegetables available here one of the refugees
demonstrates the best in Ugandan
and Congolese cooking
vegetables available here one of the refugees
demonstrates the best in Ugandan
and Congolese cooking
"Some of those teaching began the class with their own personal stories while others were more shy but as the class went on and they relaxed and passed on their stories."
For one of the couples their story only came out after someone in class asked them how the pair had met and married. That's when the class learned how shortly after the wedding the couple had been forced to flee their homeland which was caught up in a bloody civil war.
"The classes were filled with warmth and laughter and at the end of a class, one of those there welcomed the refugee teachers to Australia and asked them to come and visit. It was a lovely moment," says Jo.
To Now the North Sydney Community Centre has pencilled in dates in early October for the next series of Welcome Feasts hosted by refugees and asylum seekers from the House of Welcome.
To find out more about the House of Welcome log on to www.houseofwelcome.com.au
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