Hakima Mandeat escaped from Sudan with her children in 2004 when conflict engulfed the region.
On Wednesday 27 June she used food as the vehicle to share her story of suffering and survival with 40 other women.
Wellsprings for Women in Dandenong hosted the celebration of Sudanese culture.
Attendees learnt about the culture of Sudan – north and south – the troubled history, the resilience of the Sudanese people and the ongoing impact of dislocation in the Sudanese community in Australia.
Ms Mandeat’s first stop was Egypt, where she stayed for three years before migrating to Australia in 2007.
She lost contact with her husband for 14 years as a result of the war.
He died late last year before he could reunite with this family.
“We found freedom, peace, security and a good life in Australia,” Ms Mandeat said.
“I started attending Wellsprings for Women in 2010 to learn English and computers, and now my English is very good and I am able to rely on myself without needing any language support.”
She has taken part in the cooking program at Wellsprings and works as a kitchen hand in several venues.
Her favourite dish is Sudanese meal kisra, and it was on the menu at the Wellsprings event.
It’s made with okra and reminds of Ms Mandeat of 75-year-old mother, who still lives in Juba.
