Friday 30 November 2018

We Are the World Blogfest # 20: Nourish Cowichan …




Nourish Cowichan is brilliant local food programme which will let every child in the Valley have a healthier life …



… this has been started by the chef, Fatima, from Vinoteca (see my previous post) who had been alerted that the children in the area were falling asleep, becoming ill and generally not able to cope – these were the kids who were nutritiously deprived.


There are five other programs or programmes!


Fatima leases the kitchens and runs a restaurant at the Zanatta vineyard … and realised she could help … 




... so with other volunteers – in a tiny kitchen – they have been making up rolls with various fillings, offering muffins and fresh fruit in a pilot breakfast programme.



Nourish Cowichan logo

Within six months they were provisioning three other schools, and now they supply 13 locations: 3 daycare, 1 maternity centre and 9 schools …



Fatima on her phone in
the tiny kitchen


Fundraising started and now they have an 1,800 sq ft facility being finished as we speak … which should be up and running by Christmas … the aim is to provide 500 meals as soon as possible …



Fatima said it will be bliss to be able to have the space to work in – rather than the cramped kitchen they presently operate from …




The start of breakfast rolls -
variety for the different needs
… mind you her food is fantastic … but I can quite see getting 500 meals out (with variety) from their present location is difficult.



Talk about ambition … Nourish Cowichan is in negotiations with various appropriate authorities – schools, health units and social services – while working independently under its own auspices as a British Columbian Society – a charity status.




There are six initiative programmes:  Breakfast; Weekend take home snacks; Give Back Art – encouraging the children to do something for others; Nutrition Education; Universal Inclusion; Food Save Programme …



See more attheir site … I am so pleased I was able to spend a very short time with Fatima – she was getting some breakfast meals ready to be sent out … 



There are art works available at the vineyard



... and also fending off queries re the huge fundraising event she’s just put on – for the new facility: it was a huge success, I understand – though was unable to go.




It’s an amazing project for the Cowichan Valley – there’s a lot of deprivation here – yet there’s an awful lot of generosity … 


We Are The World – In Darkness Be Light




Thank you for reading … please visit other entries … and now it is getting towards Christmas - give generously to all food programmes ... 


Could you please note I will be away from a computer - so will get to answer when I can ... see my next post ... early December 




Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories

24 comments:

Liz A. said...

What a great story. It's amazing how many people go hungry. Cool that you got a chance to meet her.

Botanist said...

Deprivation but generosity seems a common human theme. When I took part in fundraising activities for charity years ago, the most generous people were always those who were themselves living paycheck to paycheck. The meanest people also were invariably the most well-heeled.

Yamini MacLean said...

Hari Om
A wonderful outreach. So many communities everywhere have this need and there are amazing people willing to fulfil it. YAM xx

Patsy said...

What a great project.

It's obvious that if kids don't eat reasonably well it will cause them problems throughout their lives, but I'd only thought of that in terms of health, not that it could stop them making the best of education opportunities too. That shows how poverty and hunger can become an unending cycle that's no fault of the sufferers.

Rhodesia said...

A fabulous project and I am sure the kids, as well as the parents, appreciate what is being done. Hope this finds you well. Have a good weekend Diane

Joanne said...

marvelous program and helps the future - kids don't need to be hungry while they are learning. Actually true of everyone. There's no excuse for hungry in nations with so much plenty.
Good post and sounds like a wonderful woman and place.

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

I especially like one of your sentences near the end about there being deprivation, but there is also generosity. That's the kind of world I want to live in... where generous people like Fatima see a need and fill it. It's wonderful that you got to spend some time with her.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Computer Tutor said...

I am constantly amazed by the givingness of people. And their energy. Very impressive!

DMS said...

What a wonderful program. Giving kids access to healthy meals is so important. Kindness spreads. :)
~Jess

Mike@Bit About Britain said...

What a fabulous initiative. There are some bright, generous, people out there. Nice one, Hilary!

Chatty Crone said...

What a great cause! We have some programs like that right here in our own city too.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi everyone- l'll reply properly soon ... Thanks for your visit and appreciative comments on Fatima's marvellous project ...cheers for now - Hilary

Andrea Ostapovitch said...

That really is a wonderful project. It's always nice to read about people doing good in the world.
Enjoy the weekend,
Andrea

Gail M Baugniet - Author said...

Wonderful to hear about the beautiful people in the world who are helping the children in need. This project is amazing. Thanks for sharing.

https://gail-baugniet.blogspot.com/

Hels said...

A tiny kitchen squishes the cook's inventiveness and reduces the number of assistants and students. I am so glad they now have the space to flourish in.

D.G. Kaye said...

A beautiful share Hilary. It always warms my heart to know the children are being cared for. <3

Lisa said...

What a wonderful way to give!

Anabel Marsh said...

An inspiring project.

retirementreflections said...

Hi, Hilary - I am so glad to read more about Fatima here. What an amazing woman. Thank you for introducing her to us! She is such a blessing to this area.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Bravo for Fatima. Someone should submit her name for The Order of Canada!

Peter Nena said...

Incredible people doing incredible things, keeping humanity going one good deed, one act of kindness at a time. Thank you, Fatima. And thank you, Hilary, for sharing this good story with us and for participating in #WATWB.

Susan Scott said...

Thank heavens for people like Fatima and all those who reach out to those in need. Thank you Hilary for sharing this story ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Thank you everyone for your comments - once I'm up and running again I'll reply properly - cheers Hilary

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi everyone ...I'm in the library ... so will get back to commenting when I can get into Eastbourne...but so appreciate seeing you all here ...and thanks for your well wishes - cheers Hilary

Just to confirm ... yes, Fatima is one amazing lady - with a huge heart ... and just wonderful ... one of those superb calm ladies... who exudes care and thoughtfulness ... and time for one and all. Cheers Hilary