By CASEY NEILL
ASYLUM seekers are cooking up a storm in Dandenong each week.
Men, women and children, mostly from Afghan, Iranian and Tamil backgrounds, come together at support centre Cornerstone every Monday and Thursday to create dishes for lunch, play pool or table tennis, or practise their English skills with volunteers.
Dandenong Neighbourhood House runs Cooking With Diversity with help from funding from South East Melbourne Medicare Local (SEMML).
Its aim is to engage refugees and asylum seekers in Dandenong who are unable to work and are looking for activities to fill their daily routine, to reduce isolation and provide them with purpose.
Dandenong Neighbourhood House chef Sharon Ramsay said the program was fast becoming a way for many people to socialise and share experiences and cultures.
“I am learning from the asylum seekers each week about how they prepare food in their countries and they are all keen to learn new things from me also,” she said.
Cooking With Diversity teaches asylum seekers to cook cheap, healthy meals that are suitable for their weekly government allowance.
Cornerstone is on the corner of Mason and Walker streets in Dandenong.
The classes run from 9.30am to 2.30pm Mondays and Thursdays.
Call Dandenong Neighbourhood House, 34 King Street, Dandenong, on 9792 5298 to get involved.
