Food is a universal language understood by people from all walks of life, regardless of their native tongue.
For some refugee and migrant mums living in Wyndham, their shared love of cooking has helped them find friends and familiarise themselves with the new country they call home.
Shameema, from Truganina recently moved to Australia from India.
“I’m very new to this place, because of COVID, I never had the chance to mingle with the community,” she said.
Every Monday, Shameema and four other women travel to Government House in Melbourne.
The women participate in gardening, flower arranging and picking vegetables that are then used to prepare lunch in the cottage kitchen.
“They arranged some garden work, we planted new plants, we get fruits and vegetables from the garden, we are going to cook from other culture’s food,” she said.
“We cook a large amount and we will share…It’s really nice.”
Shameema said she is able to interact with, and learn from, women from disparate backgrounds.
“Because of the program, I am able to go and meet many different cultures, Pakistan, Ethiopia and other parts of India.”
“Melbourne is a multicultural place, it will develop our social [skills]…and help the migrants, definitely.”
The program runs as a partnership between Government House and Community Hubs Australia.
Three community hubs in Wyndham currently participate in the project, including Truganina South Primary School, Doherty’s Creek P-9 College and Davis Creek Primary School.
