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Pupils to prepare Nepali banquet
26 September 2011 in School News
Pupils from the Edinburgh Steiner School have been taking special cooking lessons to prepare for a charity banquet on Friday 30th September 2011. The charity meal, which is just one of a series of fundraising activities undertaken by the pupils in recent weeks, aims to raise much needed funds for the Shanti Seva Griha initiative in the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal.
Shanti Seva Griha is a pioneering community centre which helps adults and children who have been abandoned, orphaned, affected by leprosy or who suffer from mental ill health. Established with just 1,000 German Marks in 1989, the initiative has grown to offer accommodation, medical services, rehabilitation, vocational training and even a school based upon the principles of Steiner education.
Class 5 pupils (aged 10 – 11 years) at the Edinburgh Steiner School have developed a series of activities to help support Shanti Seva Griha as part of an in depth extended lesson on Ancient India and Nepal.
Their teacher Leonie Le Maistre explains: “At Steiner Schools, we offer a unique programme called Main Lessons. These are topic blocks which are studied intensively for two hours over a four week period. At present, we are learning about Nepalese culture including mythology, food, history, songs and music so when we heard about Shanti Seva Griha, the pupils were keen to help. Linking back to the curriculum, we developed the idea of a Nepali banquet to further immerse our pupils in the country and its traditions.
“We are inviting the public to join us for a traditional meal called ‘dal bhat’ which consists of rice, lentils and vegetables. To broaden the experience for our pupils and to ensure that our cooking is authentic, we are delighted that a chef from Namast Kathmundu, the renowned restaurant on Forrest Road, will be teaching our pupils how to make the dish in their professional kitchens.
“In addition to dinner, our guests will be treated to a talk on Nepal including more information on the incredible work which takes place at Shanti Seva Griha. We will also be offering traditional music and dance. Not only will they enjoy a wonderful evening of food and family friendly entertainment but the proceeds of their tickets will make a huge difference.
The pupils have also been carrying out their own fundraising activities for the Nepalese community centre including 10 year old Finlay Bendit who, together with his father Jonathan, cycled an incredible 91 miles over a 10 hour period.
Starting in Portobello and finishing in St Andrews, the pair tried to avoid as much traffic as possible which made their journey incredibly long. They also had to battle strong winds and driving rain from the remnants of Hurricane Irene. Findlay, who has already raised close to £400 from the trip, is hoping his incredible effort will now attract more sponsorship.
He said: “The cycle ride was tiring, wet and rainy but fun. I wasn't sure that dad would be up to it especially as he isn't very fit and his map reading isn't very good so he kept taking us up big hills by mistake but the promise of all the money coming in for the school in Nepal and fish and chips in St Andrews if I made it to the end kept me going!"
Guest can book tickets to the Edinburgh Steiner School Nepalese Banquet by calling the School Office on 0131 337 3410.