Cooking course for girls in Turkana, Kenya, 1400 Euro
The Mama Mzungu Foundation is a charity which is active in some of the poorest areas in the world, such as the Turkana district in Kenya. In this district, the foundation helps girls and young women to receive education, supports construction or renovation of schools, and carries out water projects. It also provides food to the poorest people. This also is where the founder of the charity, Veronique Kerssemakers, works as a
volunteer.
She asks for support for a cook school for girls (and every now and then a boy) from 18 till 26 years old from poor families in Tirana that is unable to pay for their education.
It is important for these girls to try to become independent and to find a job. Besides that it is important to learn to take good care of their families. Mama Mug has organised cooking classes for the last two years and has an increasing demand for them. Apart from cooking, the students also get lessons in hygienics, nutrition and table setting. A simple cookbook has been developed specially for this course to teach the girls to be more creative in using different foods and ingredients. The local community is often not used to being creative and this leads to one-sided nutrition.
The course will end with an exam and a certificate. This will give the girls self-confidence and a better start in finding a job. In the tourist industry they always need people who can cook well. Not just the big hotels, but also the smaller lodges and tented camps in the region are always looking for cooks.
A project like this is unique in Tirana. This is also the local household school 125km away has asked the cooking course staff to come and give three day workshops to their students.
For 2009 the courses are planned for April (2), August (1) and December (1).
Needed funds:
For 4 groups of 7 persons: 1400 euro
