http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-12/refugees-volunteer-to-keep-african-restaurant-open-in-brisbane/6306496
http://www.abusinessherald.com/2015/03/refugees-volunteer-to-keep-african-restaurant-open-in-brisbane/
Refugees volunteer to keep African restaurant open in Brisbane
BY AUSTRALIAN BUSINESS HERALD ยท MARCH 12, 2015
By Jessica Hinchliffe
A not-for-profit Brisbane restaurant that helps female African refugees hopes volunteers and diversification will help keep the business running.
Mu'ooz in West End is struggling to keep its doors open with board members and staff volunteering their time and labour.
It began with 32 refugee women from Eritrea and surrounding African nations cooking and selling Eritrean cuisine at festivals.
The business expanded with the opening of a restaurant in 2008 in Moorooka, before relocating to West End in 2014.
The aim of the social enterprise is to create employment opportunities for African refugee women and to break down cross-cultural barriers.
Director Saba Abraham told 612 ABC Brisbane's David Curnow that the current economy had put pressure on the business.
"We are hesitant to spend more at the moment as the general economy has had input into the slowing of business," she said.
"For us it is different. We train and offer employment to show them [refugee women] the life they can lead.
"It means so much to everyone that we are all volunteering now."
Ms Abraham hopes that the strong network, the reputation of the business, and the catering and cooking classes on offer will help turn the program around.
"We believe it will only be temporary for us to operate like this.
"There are many people with good hearts who want to help a good cause and who want to enjoy the environment."
A recent State Government grant enabled the restaurant to employ a professional head chef, but only for a year.
"Training for the women is so important, it takes time, so that is eating our money, it would be good to secure further grants," Ms Abraham said.
More than just a job
Since starting the group, Ms Abraham has trained and provided employment for 97 refugee women.
"We provide a pathway to employment with many of the women now employed in other places including schools, factories, restaurants and cleaning jobs," she said.
"The program aims to give them confidence and helps them understand the workforce.
"Women refugees had a lack of employment opportunities and many never had education in their country and they found it hard here to learn the language and get a job."
Ms Abraham said the women mixing with people and talking about their love of food has many great benefits.
"Many of the women have had a hard life through war, mental health, family problems and staying at home in isolation.
"The first step for us is to get them out of the house and to give them a place to start their life.
"It is a big thing for them.
"You witness a lot in your life [in Eritrea]. The women have witnessed killing and rape and trauma ... everybody in our restaurant has been through this trauma.
"Many of them feel like this is home to them, it is more than a workplace."
West End restaurant needs your help
12 March 2015 , 11:59 AM by Gabrielle Burke
Mu'ooz is a co-operative restaurant and catering company based in West End.
It is a not-for-profit social enterprise helping refugee women to build confidence through paid employment, training and work experience.
The restaurant is struggling to stay afloat and is calling on the community to help.
David Curnow spoke with Saba Abraham, the Director of Mu'ooz.
Audio:
http://blogs.abc.net.au/queensland/2015/03/west-end-restaurant-needs-your-help.html?site=brisbane&program=612_morning
Received on Thu Mar 12 2015 - 05:32:16 EDT