During the school vacation, COERR Mae Sarieng organized Life Skills in food and dessert making for refugee children. The activity was held on March 14, 2018 in Ban Mae Lama Luang camp for 128 children consisting of 76 girls and 52 boys. On the following day, March 15, 2018 the training was held in Ban Mae La Oon camp in which 69 children of 47 girls and 22 boys participated. There are 4 menu, each being assigned to each group: Khnom Tom (boiled sticky rice flourball with sweetened coconut stuff); Deep fried banana; Bua Loi (Rainbow Glutinous Rice Balls with Coconut Milk) and Papaya Salad (Som Tam).

   Then children gathered in 4 groups according to their interest. They wrote the recipe with enthusiasm before starting making food. Papaya Salad (Som Tam) was the most popular menus chosen by participants. Khnom Bua Loi is also popular because the children like to make the colorful balls by themselves.

   Then each group start preparing their menu, under the trainer’s guidance and cooking tips. The trainees were told to cover hair and wash their hands for good hygiene before practice. After the cooking had been done by each group, food were packed and exchanged with other groups. The trainees always asked where they can find the food materials or how they can apply with the available materials in the camp.

   Then each group had their representative stand up to share experience about how easy and difficult in cooking these food. They also tell about how to replace ingredients such as to use potato instead of banana; to add more coconut for better flavor and taste of Bua Loi, etc. They also reported the cost of ingredients they used so that other groups knew the cost and were able to calculate the profit of selling these food. This enables these participants to be able to apply the skills for future career if they like.

Food and Dessert Cooking Class in Mae La Oon Camp

Life Skills Training for Youth in Ban Mae Lama Luang camp