The House of Welcome is a charity that supports asylum seekers from all over the world who are living in the community whilst awaiting the outcome of their protection visa applications.
As a social justice opportunity for Mercy Outreach Day, Year 10 students from Mercy Catholic College, Chatswood, travelled to Carramar on the outskirts of Sydney to lend a hand for the day.
Whilst assisting prepare ingredients and cook up Egyptian, Iranian and Pakistani dishes the girls not only learnt about and tasted different foods but also gained an insight as to the challenges that cause people to flee their homeland as refugees.
Mercy student Momoko Metham reflected on the day “I made friends with Samira, an Iranian woman who had fled Iran and came to Australia in the hope of providing her two girls with more opportunities and a solid education.” Samira herself is studying to be a chef whilst working at the House of Welcome.
Helen Thomas, Youth Ministry Co-ordinator commented “What a fantastic way for our students to learn about the plight of refugees whilst also helping prepare, cook and then share in a meal.”