Refugees’ soup soothes the soul

FORMER refugees are selling soup to soothe locals, with customers deciding for themselves how much they pay for the healthy meal.

Social enterprise Zafira has served fresh Afghan food from its garden for more than two years in Gormanston Rd, Moonah.

Owner Kirsten Singleton said she wanted to lift the spirits of scared staff and stressed locals.

“People everywhere are going crazy, so I thought soup is something really soothing that everyone can have,” she said.

She said customers were grateful and surprised when asked how much they would like to pay.

She said donations varied from $1 to $10, with one regular customer offering vegetables to the workers in exchange for a cup.

“Our regular customers have been amazing,” she said.

“We want to show people it’s a time to give, not a time to start taking from everyone.”

Zafira cook Feyzieh Ghorbani has self-isolated from all staff and customers to stay healthy enough to work, Ms Singleton said.

“Her daughter is in Kabul, so it’s not just about people here having an income, but people who need it in other countries,” she said.

As Zafira and other cafes prepare for possible closures, Ms Singleton said her staff was now sewing and selling reusable face masks, with orders exceeding 6000 only two days after the announcement.

“We’re pretty determined to keep going,” she said.

“A lot of my staff are resilient and strong.

“They’ve been through far worse than this.”