Over 500 jars of Whole Earth peanut butter that would have been destined for British athletes to have at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics are now a valuable cupboard staple for refugees and asylum seekers self-isolating in Cardiff. These were generously donated to the British Red Cross by its official charity partner Team GB following the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics until 2021.
Since the coronavirus outbreak, British Red Cross set up a Hub in partnership with the Oasis centre in Cardiff, to support destitute and otherwise vulnerable families of asylum seekers and refugees who have been affected by Covid-19.
Every Wednesday, the Red Cross team pack 7-day parcels of food, toiletries, cleaning products and other essentials. On Fridays, the Oasis catering team add a hot meal to the parcels and the British Red Cross team deliver them.
The Cardiff team – made up of three Red Cross staff and seven volunteers – were thrilled to receive the donation and to include it in the food parcels.
Not only did each family supported get a jar in their weekly delivery – the parcels also included a delicious hot meal of Muamba Nsusu or Congolese Peanut Butter Chicken. The recipe which calls for 6 tablespoons of peanut butter, chillies and cayenne pepper was cooked by the Oasis catering team and provided by a Red Cross staff member who previously worked in the Congo.
Ali – one of the Red Cross volunteers supporting this project in Cardiff – said: “I love peanut butter, the one donated was a very good brand and I’m sure the families that received it will be happy to have it.”
Sue Quinn Aziz, who manages this project for the Red Cross said: “In partnership with Oasis, the Red Cross Hub team are preparing and delivering food parcels to all refugees and asylum seekers that need them in Cardiff. Volunteers are at the heart of the work we do – and this is a wonderful example of people with experience of being asylum seekers and refugees supporting that community. Our volunteers are invaluable!”
For more information about the British Red Cross visit www.redcross.org.uk
