(10 March 2007)
VSO’s ‘Big Curry Night’ on Saturday 10 March will see curry lovers all over the country tucking into an extra special meal to raise funds for the international development charity’s work in some of the world’s poorest countries.
VSO, which works through professional volunteers, is asking food lovers from all over the UK to cook up a curry for a cause and sign up to the appeal. Celebrity chef Manju Malhi, author of Brit Spice and India with Passion, has provided some of her authentic, easy to follow recipes for VSO’s ‘Big Curry Night’, making it even easier to get involved.
All of the money raised by ‘Big Curry Night’ will be used to support VSO’s work with disadvantaged communities and help people like Shaistia Rashid from Pakistan to build a better life for her and her family.
Shaista has five brothers and sisters and lives in one of the Pakistan’s poorest regions. When her father lost his job, the family faced two huge problems. The first was their uncertain future and the second was paying for the forthcoming weddings of two of Shaista’s sisters.
Wanting to do something to help her family Shaista decided to start her own business doing something she did everyday - making samosas. She didn’t have the money to buy the equipment she needed so Khwendo Kor, a local organisation and VSO partner that promotes the rights of women in rural communities, helped Shaista by providing her with a small loan of 50 rupees, 58 English pence, to buy the things she needed.
Today Shaista provides samosas to schools and parties and is thinking of expanding her business to selling textiles. As a result of her hard work her family’s situation has improved dramatically and as well as supporting them she is also able to save money for her future.
Shaista says of her success, “I didn't have an education but I did have a skill, so I thought, ‘Why not use it?’”
Shaista’s business has changed her role in the family for the better. She says, “My father and brother respect me more and give me more importance”.
Shaista Rashid making samosas at her family home in Pakistan
To order VSO’s ‘Big Curry Night’ fundraising pack go to www.vso.org.uk/curry.
Notes for editor:
- VSO’s Big Curry Night will run for the fourth year in 2007
- For more information about Manju Malhi visit www.manjumalhi.com
- High res version of Shaista’s photo available.
- Manju Malhi’s Big Curry Night recipes are available for reproduction.
For more information, or to arrange an interview with a returned volunteer in your area, please contact Leona Daly in the VSO Press Office on 020 8780 7265 or leona.daly@vso.org.uk
