We are a group of refugee women from war-torn Eritrea and surrounding Horn of Africa countries who have established an A-La-Carte African restaurant in Brisbane following Federal Government funding approval for our unique community-based project.

 

Called Mu’ooz, which means “tasty and healthy” in Tigrinya (the language of Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia), the profits from the catering business will be directed back to our community via the Eritrean Women and Family Support Network.

 

As well as providing an opportunity for paid employment for refugee women and their families, the restaurant improves cross-cultural understanding and assist with breaking down barriers in the local community.

 

Mu’ooz Cooperative is a Brisbane-based social enterprise set up in 2003 which aims to create training and work experience opportunities for refugee women from Eritrea and surrounding countries.   The Eritrean community is among one of the most disadvantaged in Brisbane – it is a small, emerging community of approximately 450 people who are predominantly recent refugee arrivals from war-torn Eritrea and surrounding Horn of Africa countries. Members of the Eritrean community, particularly the women, have traditionally had little opportunity to access formal education or employment, predominantly due to the patriarchal views on women and ongoing wars in their country.

 

The Mu’ooz Cooperative was started by the Eritrean Women and Family Support Network which supports new arrivals in the settlement process and conducts community development activities, particularly for refugee women from Eritrea.

 

We, as a group, analysed the difficulties members of our community face, particularly the women who continue to experience widespread unemployment and underemployment. Other disadvantages that make it difficult for our community members to participate more fully in wider community life include:

 

-      Lack of opportunity to bring paid work into our homes

-      English language skills

-      Limited exposure to working within, understanding and familiarising ourselves with the Australian workplace

-      Lack of opportunities for the women of our community to access appropriate work experience  

 

 

As a consequence, in August 2003 the women of our community decided to build on their existing strengths to more fully engage in wider community life.

 

One of the most widespread skills shared amongst our members, and identified by our membership as such, is the ability to produce high quality traditional Eritrean food and beverage. In the first quarter of 2004 the members of our group agreed to start slowly and outlined a short term goal for one year to sell Eritrean traditional cuisine at festivals in order to help build our self confidence from the experience. In 2005 – 2006, based on the success of the initiative we decided to extend the business to catering and refugee food delivery subcontract services. With the success of these activities, we agreed to develop and apply for funding for the Mu’ooz Eritrean Women’s Cooperative to run Mu’ooz Eritrean Restaurant & Catering business for the creation of more job opportunities for our members and other women from Horn of African countries. 

 

The project aims were to enhance our catering activities and further develop capacity building through work experience in the restaurant. Over the five months of training, all 22 women involved in the training project achieved their Certificate I in Hospitality. For most of the women, this is the first formal qualification they have received. 

 

As well as creating opportunities for paid employment for refugee women and their families through cooperative-based self-employment, Mu’ooz has created a hub of community activity, providing opportunities for cross cultural experiences for the women and the broader community. It has created business and employment opportunities for this highly disadvantaged group of refugee arrivals, leading to greater acceptance in the local community and increased cross cultural understanding.

 

As of mid March 2008, Mu’ooz Eritrean Restaurant & Catering is open and running as a commercial entity. However, we receive continued support from SPIRAL Community Hub and Hospitality Industry Partnerships (HIP) in the strategic and business management of the restaurant, in order to build on its already early success.

 

The Mu’ooz Eritrean Women’s Co-operative would like to thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you at Mu’ooz Eritrean Restaurant. Please contact our Restaurant Manager about our catering services, traditional coffee ceremony or any other aspect of the restaurant and project you are interested in.

 

We hope you enjoy your visit and tell your friends about your experience.

When you visit, please fill in our guest book with any comments or suggestions.

 

Many thanks,

 

Saba Abraham, Co-operative Restaurant Manager and the Mu’ooz team