The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in Mbala district has organised an Interdenominational Cookery Day programme.
The day was aimed at equipping Girls’ Brigade members with basic cooking skills and knowledge to prepare a variety of meals, and promoting self-reliance, creativity and confidence.
Speaking during the programme, Girls’ Brigade (GB) Captain, Albertina Thosi, said the initiative was intended to empower girls with practical life skills that would enable them to prepare meals for themselves and their families.
Ms Thosi said the programme has been well received and is expected to contribute to improved nutrition at household level.
She said equipping girls with cooking skills will help them make better use of available food resources and prepare balanced meals that meet their families’ nutritional needs.
“Equipping girls with cooking skills will help them make better use of available food resources and prepare meals that meet their families’ nutritional needs, this is what we want to impart in our youth,” she said.
Ms Thosi emphasised that the organisation’s focus is to extend beyond spiritual development to include education and practical skills that contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities.
She said the initiative demonstrated the organisation’s commitment to the holistic development of girls by equipping them with knowledge and skills they could apply in their daily lives.
And one of the participants, Bethel Nakasote, has welcomed the programme, describing it as beneficial to young girls.
Ms Nakasote thanked the organisers and mentors for taking the time to teach them various cooking skills, that included the traditional food.
She said the skills acquired will help the girls become more confident and independent in preparing meals for themselves and their families.
And one of the facilitators, Clementine Chongo, noted that the programme is important as it equips girls with practical cooking skills that they could apply in their daily lives and share with their families.
Mrs Chongo said the knowledge acquired will help the girls improve their meal preparation, make better use of locally available food resources and develop greater confidence in the kitchen.
She added that such initiatives were important in preparing girls to become self-reliant and contribute to the well-being of their households.
The programme is expected to encourage girls to become more confident, creative and self-reliant while contributing to improved nutrition at household level.
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