The Azaadi Project was initiated in 2005 by a group of friends from the Queenscliff and Geelong areas in Southern Victoria. We offer friendship and support to asylum seekers and refugees, many of whom have spent years in the soul-destroying environment of Immigration Detention. The asylum seekers we assist have fled persecution in their homelands, and have made long and dangerous journeys to seek peace and safety.
The Azaadi Project was born out of many shared meals, the mingling of knowledge and cultures, and the memories of traditional Afghan cooking. Our friends taught us their knowledge of spices and special recipes prepared by their mothers.
Cooking together from a registered kitchen, the Azaadi range of Chutneys and Kasaundis was created amidst laughter and friendship. Our young friends’ confidence had been shattered by years of detention. We hoped that by involving them in this shared project, they would develop new skills, share their culture with us, and regain their confidence and self-esteem.
Community response to the Azaadi Project has been overwhelmingly positive. Although our original group of refugee friends have now settled well into the community and no longer participate in the Azaadi Project, we RAR volunteers have maintained the project as a means of assisting many other asylum seekers, refugees and their families, some of whom are still living in danger overseas.
AZAADI is an ancient Persian word for FREEDOM
The Azaadi hot and spicy range of products includesTomato Kasaundi, Eggplant Kasaundi, Lemon Chilli Pickle and Sweet Date and Citrus Chutney.
The Azaadi chilli-free range includes:Abraysham Tomato Chutney and Fragrant Pomegranate, Lemon and Date Chutney.
Azaadi contains no artificial flavours or colourings
ALL PROCEEDS GO TO ASYLUM SEEKER AND REFUGEE SUPPORT