Afghan Pop-Up Restaurant

On Saturday 5th March, an Afghan Restaurant appeared in St Nicholas Church Halls with the aim of raising funds for Afghan Action, Christian Aid and a local charity. Unemployment is high in Afghanistan and many people have little alternative to making a living from the drug trade. Afghan Action runs a small carpet factory and training school in Kabul where young men and women are trained in weaving. The school also provides literacy and numeracy classes and healthcare. There were demonstrations of carpet weaving, and the chance to have a go at it yourself, along with Afghan carpets and rugs available to purchase, as well as displays about the country and culture, including some by local schools which have links with schools in Afghanistan. The café was open for lunch, serving flat bread, falafel, olives, humus, dips, pickled cucumber, stuffed vine leaves and kebabs. A quiz gave opportunity to test ones knowledge of Afghanistan and a story-telling 'tent' was available for young children to follow the Afghan Tales of fortune, magic, buried treasure and mythical creatures.' In the evening, a 3 course Afghan meal was served accompanied by Afghan music. The answers to the quiz were given, whereupon one could see how much ones knowledge had (hopefully) improved during the day. A speaker from Afghan Action gave more information about the country and the work of the charity. For more information about the work of Afghan Action in Afghanistan and the UK visit www.afghanaction.com