A foretaste of Burmese dishes experienced at Surrender this year

We have seen some big changes in the Springvale team over the last few months, and though at the moment our team is small, we feel very privileged to be involved in some exciting new ventures within our neighbourhood.

 Many of you have heard about, and possibly experienced the Burmese food tent at Surrender earlier this year. The feedback we received from our neighbours was that they were extremely excited, energized and empowered by running the tent at Surrender. So much so that they began talking and dreaming of opening a Burmese food business in Springvale. 

After some time discerning the future of the Springvale team, we decided that we would like to support our refugee friends in beginning this venture, and it was then that the dream of the Free Burma Cafe became a reality.  The cafe will be  a community hub for the Burmese offering employment and belonging for this group, as well as a centre for advocating for the greater Burmese cause (and of course a great place to get a coffee and Burmese food!).

Though we know we have a lot of work ahead of us in the next few months, the support and generosity of those around us has been overwhelming.   We recently had opportunity to share our dreams with the broader UNOH team, and the encouragement that we have received was humbling.  It has been wonderful for us to realise that though our immediate neighbourhood team is small, the UNOH family is big and we are truly grateful to be able to be a part of this inspiring group of people.

If you are interested in hearing more about the Free Burma Café then please find us on face book or contact Peter on peterd@unoh.org or naomi@unoh.org

If you would like to financially help to kick-start the venture please go to www.unoh.org