Culinary Language Lesson in Calais

Yesterday I was given a culinary language lesson whilst distributing our food parcels in Calais. A new mate taught me the Arabic names of the things in the packs: rice – ruz, sugar – sukkhar, tomato – tamaatam, and so on though the whole lot. 

This led to conversation and laughter, and it was great standing there with someone, learning about their culture through words and food like that. That’s one of the great things about our food packs, they not only nourish people, but connect them as well. 

You see it when you go into the camps – people cooking together, chatting together, and always offering to share their food and drink with you. The Sudanese guys make a drink with boiled milk and sugar, and often invite you to sit down with them to share a cup. Sometimes people will offer to cook some meat for you – I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve had to kindly explain I’m vegetarian 🙂

You never forget this generosity and hospitality from people who have so little. It makes an absolute mockery of the idea that they want to come to Britain to get something for nothing, and anyone who thinks that should just come and spend a week here.

 – H, Volunteer

Refugees in Calais are often hungry, and without any money they have few sources of food. We’re the main distributor of food packs, so our work is vital – but we desperately need your help. To donate, please see click here.