Kyra and Kanika, two young people from Wandsworth, have organised free cooking classes for young people aged 13-19. They felt that too many young people spend dinner and especially Christmas without their families or a hot Christmas dinner, so they wanted to combat this by providing a free Christmas dinner for young people. However, they realised that the real issue is that many young people just don’t have the skills or knowledge to do this for themselves.

Wandsworth Cooking Club gives young people the skills they need to buy, cook and eat nutritious healthy food, delivered in a youth friendly, inspiring and interactive manner, with a particular focus on supporting those who have no cooking skills or may not have anyone to teach them.

Over the past two months, young people have been planning, organising and developing this project to help young people and provide them with the skills for the future. A two day session will cover nutrition, budgeting, shopping and a cooking lesson. This project will run over two after-school sessions in January at Tooting United Reformed Church and the Caius Youth Club in Battersea with a professional chef. Young people who are interested can email hello@be-enriched.org.uk for a registration form.

Wandsworth Cooking Club has kindly been supported by Wandsworth Eco Fund and Think Big, but more money is needed. Kyra and Kanika have set up a online fundraising page through Global Giving UK with the hope of raising £2000 by December 23^rd to cover the project costs, food, equipment and provide the participants with a hamper of raw food to practice with. Over the past two weeks they have raised £570. You can help them reach their goal by donating as little as £9 for a chicken and seasonings for a young person.

Kyra and Kanika, Youth Leaders of Wandsworth Cooking Club say “It is so important that we, as young people, know how to cook and eat properly and learn how to save money. It is getting harder to eat healthily when cheap fast food is everywhere. This is what our project is about”

Kemi Akinola, CEO of Be Enriched, says “Food poverty is not solved with just a handout. A good food education, learning cooking skills and spending smarter is essential, in these transitional years to adulthood, and will last a lifetime. Kyra and Kanika are an inspiration to other young people. They have seen an issue for their peers and friends and have actively done something about it.” 

You can help Kyra and Kanika by donating at  www.globalgiving.co.uk/projects/help-feed-50-children-this-christmas/