By ANEEKA SIMONIS
TEN students from Beaconsfield Upper Primary School put their cooking skills to good use by sharing hand-baked goods with a group of local refugees, who in turn, shared their experiences of poverty and dreams of a fresh start.
Lemon slices and chocolate coconut balls baked by the school’s Community Cooking Club students were delivered to asylum seekers at a Dandenong-based medical centre on Friday 24 April as part of the school’s commitment to engage with less fortunate members of the community.
Program co-ordinator and Grade 5 and 6 teacher Rebecca Johnson said students were currently learning about the poverty and hardship faced by children in other countries and the basic rights they were often denied.
“It helps outline the importance of immigrants from lots of countries and how they have historically contributed to Australia’s development and will continue to do so in the future,” Ms Johnson said.
“Programs such as the Community Cooking Club help to build the understanding of the diversity of cultures and peoples living in Australia, fostering social inclusion.”
Students who take part in the program have the opportunity to speak with the asylum seekers about their experiences, here and abroad.
