From Syria, with Love
<p><br /><em><u>From Syria with Love: food for the soul... coming from the heart</u></em><br /><br />It all began with a dream, a dream to change the perception of the word "Syrian Refugee." A word that has flooded the media and people's minds to the extent that it always brought a negative connotation. Rarely did anyone know anything about Syria prior to the war. </p><p> </p><p>"I couldn't stand the pity and sad eyes when I told people I was from Syria. There had to be a way to show the hidden gems of Syria, the gems the Syrian people had brought with them from across the Mediterranean.” </p><p> </p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://i.embed.ly/1/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.fbru1-1.fna.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F27459468_10215917836806956_5669303207249813526_n.jpg%3Foh%3D6476db3524ac105aeb141f0b2ec63251%26oe%3D5B1C9728&key=8b7d8dd6504d41af9a77662672aabc2a" /></p><p>Back in September 2017 Yara, a design consultant, come across four women who had a lot more than the words Syria and refugee; they shared a passion: cooking Syrian food with love. </p><p> </p><p>It was not long before this passion become a social enterprise called "From Syria with Love", a catering company that aims to empower and give a purpose to Syrian housewives who now call Belgium home. The mission goes beyond empowering and sharing food; it's a bigger vision to blur the lines between the locals and the new comers.</p><p><br /><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://i.embed.ly/1/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.fbru1-1.fna.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F27337027_10215917835366920_4416216946446405852_n.jpg%3Foh%3De4d273195384e3ff5b090b5b0b391c50%26oe%3D5AE25448&key=7bb7fdfba53d4f19a57dc0abcac018df" /><br />After our great success the past year, we decided to commit to a fixed location where we will continue our mission and prepare daily meals, organise cooking workshops, and cater bigger events. <br /><br /><strong>Our Team: </strong><em>A devoted team of lovely Syrian housewives</em></p><p> </p><p><img width="100%" alt="" src="https://i.embed.ly/1/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent.fbru1-1.fna.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-9%2F27073162_10215917835406921_3119049008955852763_n.jpg%3Foh%3Dda25dfdb9702e8016759ae3812dce29d%26oe%3D5B18A83D&key=8b7d8dd6504d41af9a77662672aabc2a" /></p><p> </p><p><u>Head Chef Sabah</u> from Aleppo is 44 years old and has 2 children. She has been in Belgium for 1,5 years. <em>"I have never felt more proud to be a Syrian, making people happy."</em><br /><br /><u>Chef Ahlam</u> from Homs, she is 34 years old and has 4 children. She has been in Belgium for 2 years. <em>"Cooking has become my profession, which is the best thing that could've happened to me."</em><br /><br /><u>Chef Abeer</u> from Damascus is 33 years old and has 2 children. She has been in Belgium for 1 year. <em>"I never imagined that I would grow to love Belgium this fast."</em><br /><br /><u>Chef Deeya</u> from Aleppo is 36 years old and lives by herself. She has been in Belgium for 2 years. <em>"When I met the ladies and saw them cooking, I couldn't hide my enthusiasm!"</em><br /><br /><strong>In the News</strong><br /><a target="_blank" href="https://www.een.be/video/iedereen-beroemd/from-syria-with-love">"Iedereen Beroemd"</a> + <a target="_blank" href="https://atv.be/nieuws/video-from-syria-with-love-35415">ATV</a> + <a target="_blank" href="http://www.flanderstoday.eu/living/food-heart-offers-different-perspective-syria">Flanders Today</a> + <a target="_blank" href="https://etion.be/kennisbank/ik-wil-blijven-dromen-een-free-bird-blijven">Etion</a></p>
À quoi servira la collecte
<p>We were blessed to find a humble location to rent in Gitschotellei, Antwerp; however the store is empty and needs a reconstruction in order for it to be suitable to contain a professional kitchen under the rules and regulations of the FAVV. <br /><br />If we are lucky enough to reach our goal then your kind contributions will go to:<br /><br /><strong>1. The reconstruction of the store</strong><br /><em>3,000 euros to renovate the store *pipping, electricity, water, gas...</em><br /><em>1,500 euros for material to furnish the store *flooring & ceiling material, toilet, lavabo... </em><br /> <br /><strong>2. The essential professional kitchen appliances</strong><br /><em>1,500 euros </em>Gastro<br /><em>1,800 euros </em>Dishwasher<br /><em>2,700 euros </em>Hot air oven<br /><em>2,000 euros </em>Freezer<br /><em>2,000 euros </em>Cooler<br /><em>2,000 euros Cooker hood</em><br /><br />Thank you in advance for everything :)</p>