Beneficiary event: DARA Cook-Up
Cooking up connections
After escaping persecution, war and civil unrest refugees still face many challenges when re-homing in a new country. There are confusing local customs, trying to communicate in a foreign language, creating a new home and finding work. On top of that many find themselves isolated, having lost a social network and opportunities to participate within a community. Add COVID to that mix and many refugees are struggling to meet their daily needs while also dealing with the anxiety and uncertainty the pandemic has introduced.
With the intention of giving these refugee families some small respite, Collective Heart teamed up with Soul Café and Dara’s Refugee Hub to cook up and deliver meals to families who are in need of additional support during these troublesome times.
On 6th September, charity volunteers and members of the refugee community gathered in the Soul Café kitchen, chopping, dicing, slicing, mixing, simmering and baking succulent beef korma with rice and noodles to package and deliver across Newcastle.
“The camaraderie that forms naturally while you’re creating a meal with someone – even if this is the first time you’ve met – is quite amazing. We found ways to engage, show each other what to do and to laugh, even though we couldn’t speak each other’s language. The connection was heart-warming,” said Lesley Slevin Collective Heart member. “It was also wonderful to see how thrilled the participants were to get a chance to practice their English skills.”
Much to everyone’s surprise and delight, a regular ‘guest’ of Soul Café arrived with a feast for the cooks and delivery crew. As an expression of her gratitude for Soul Café’s hospitality, she made a tasty meal of smoky chicken, dolmades and salads from supplies she gathered earlier during a visit to the Soul Café Pantry. Offering this to the group, she then stayed and enjoyed the meal with the volunteer team.
Loading the cars, the delivery team took the meals to the families and were again surprised and delighted with the welcome they received.
“I imagined we’d just be dropping off meals at the different homes. But when we arrived, we were invited inside and shown such gracious hospitality from the families. The women were excited to share homemade sweets and chai from their already meagre rations,” said Dianne Hamer, Collective Heart member who helped cook and then spent the evening delivering meals. “As we used translation apps to try and converse, laughing with them over the sometimes wacky outcomes, it brought home the importance of social connections and how simply enjoying someone’s company for a short time can make a world of difference.”
Plans for running another cooking event are underway for November. Collective Heart members and friends who would like to help out can contact us.
