MS World Culture Students Hear Refugee’s Story

St. Luke’s sixth grade World Cultures class had its own cultural experience when the students heard from a Sanctuary Kitchen speaker and tasted authentic Middle Eastern dishes. The New Haven-based Sanctuary Kitchen promotes and celebrates the culinary traditions, cultures, and stories of refugees and immigrants resettled in Connecticut. According to its website: “By going beyond the headlines and creating opportunities for meaningful encounters through food, Sanctuary Kitchen aims to create economic development opportunities for refugees and immigrants, improve cultural understanding, mutual appreciation, and build a stronger sense of community.”

Sixth grade history teacher Samantha Gordon shared, “The students learned about the organization by hearing from a Syrian refugee who told her story of finding a welcoming community when she arrived to the United States. At Sanctuary Kitchen, she and others can participate in cooking classes and catering as well as other learning and economic opportunities. The sixth graders were treated to delicious falafels and Syrian petit fours after the presentation.”