Kupikia tanzania - tO cOOK FOR tANZANIA
My biggest project this summer was working with two Tanzanian women I was lucky enough to meet while working with Engineering World Health in 2011, Glory Mswia (who was my host mama) and her friend, Farida Issangu.
The first month I was there we planned out what recipes I'd learn and made a schedule to cook 3 times a week. From about 9 am to 4 pm, we'd cook.. and cook.... and cook! When my fiance, Colin Spillane, joined for the last 6 weeks, things got a bit easier trying to cook, write down recipes, and take nice pictures all at the same time. I'm so thankful for everyone's help on this project!
So what was the goal!?!
To work with these inspiring women to create a cookbook to not only capture the cuisine in Northern Tanzanian culture, but to use it as an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for a few deserving organizations I worked with while living there.
Cradle of Love Baby Home: a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing shelter and care to orphaned, abandoned, and endangered babies. They accept all children from the age 0-2, regardless of medical condition.
Wanawake Afrika: a new organization determined to provide young women who have been abused or are at-risk with a chance to continue schooling or even open up a new shop!
Hekima Women’s Group: a micro-loan network for the women of Makumira Village, providing greater opportunities for independent business growth and companionship among working mothers.
Since Farida and Glory were such an integral part of this project, if I am able to raise over $6000, proceeds from the sales will also go to help fund their daughters' education who have both made it to the university level!
The first month I was there we planned out what recipes I'd learn and made a schedule to cook 3 times a week. From about 9 am to 4 pm, we'd cook.. and cook.... and cook! When my fiance, Colin Spillane, joined for the last 6 weeks, things got a bit easier trying to cook, write down recipes, and take nice pictures all at the same time. I'm so thankful for everyone's help on this project!
So what was the goal!?!
To work with these inspiring women to create a cookbook to not only capture the cuisine in Northern Tanzanian culture, but to use it as an opportunity to raise awareness and fundraise for a few deserving organizations I worked with while living there.
Cradle of Love Baby Home: a 501(c)3 nonprofit providing shelter and care to orphaned, abandoned, and endangered babies. They accept all children from the age 0-2, regardless of medical condition.
Wanawake Afrika: a new organization determined to provide young women who have been abused or are at-risk with a chance to continue schooling or even open up a new shop!
Hekima Women’s Group: a micro-loan network for the women of Makumira Village, providing greater opportunities for independent business growth and companionship among working mothers.
Since Farida and Glory were such an integral part of this project, if I am able to raise over $6000, proceeds from the sales will also go to help fund their daughters' education who have both made it to the university level!
That's one proud mama holding the cookbook she made possible! Wanawake Afrika and Cradle of Love also got to check out the book before passing it on to Glory! :)
I am overwhelmed by how supportive my family, friends, friends of friends, Tulane, Newcomb, and everyone else who has heard word of the project have been the past few months. This has been such a great experience from the beginning to this final push to reach my goal and I can't wait to send the funds over! I know everybody is excited about it and the money is definitely going to help out some worthy causes.
First Blurb check has arrived!! So thankful for all of my supporters!
If you are not interested in purchasing an actual book or a pdf version, please consider making a small donation by clicking the donate button below! All donations and proceeds from the book sales will go to Cradle of Love, Wanawake Afrika, and Hekima! Help me reach and exceed $6000!
it's ready and lookin' nzuri sana
Making this book look professional has been a demanding job, but I am really excited that it has turned out so well! While creating and editing this cookbook, I've been learning a ton of new things about cooking, publishing a book, and what it takes to pull off a big fundraiser.
