Sean’s African challenge

Jun 28 2008 by Ben Guy, The Journal

A TEAM of project workers travelling to one of the poorest nations on earth will be facing a tough culinary challenge before they even set off.

In January Gateshead-based fundraiser Sean Murphy led a team from the North East to the remote village of Mahida, Tanzania, to refurbish a derelict school building.

Now he is preparing to take the next team of volunteers back to Africa to carry on the good work. And to help prepare for the September trip, the team are taking part in a fundraising event at the Raval restaurant, on Gateshead Quays, where they will be cooking for guests.

Mr Murphy said: “They will be learning about the food they are preparing, as well as cooking for visitors to the restaurant on the night itself – it is a big challenge.”

Manager of the award winning restaurant, Kash Malik, admitted he did have a few reservations about handing his kitchen over to a team of amateurs, but is confident the event will be a success.

He said: “As soon as Sean told us about the project we knew it was something we wanted to be involved in. It is a good cause and I was inspired by the team -- who I interviewed.”

There will be two other events – a VIP night at the venue where the team won’t be cooking – and a Sunday lunch where they will don aprons again.

Mr Murphy said that the September project, run alongside the Childreach charity, would be focusing on the educational facilities in Mahida. He said: “This trip is about the schools, we are going to be concentrating on the nursery building, which needs a lot of work – putting in electricity, painting it and putting up a picket fence.

“The centre we refurbished in January is now fully operational. We have asked the local people to make some seesaws and climbing frames, so we will be putting those in alongside some sand traps for a play area.”

Mr Murphy has linked up with Ouston Infant School in County Durham for the trip, and teacher Emma Barthel will be going along.

Added Mr Murphy: “It’s going to be quite a challenge. We will have two or three other people who will work alongside Emma. One of the things they will be doing is working with some of the older pupils, teaching them how to tutor and mentor the younger pupils.”

The VIP night at the restaurant will take place on July 24, the challenge night the following evening and the Sunday lunch on July 27.

To book places telephone (0191) 477-1700 or visit www.ravaluk.com, quoting code R17.