All over the world from Kenya to Sweden, people will be eating curry for a cause on Saturday 11 March 2006. They?ll be sitting down to make a difference to the developing world and raising money for VSO, the charity that works through volunteers.
The money you raise will help people like Asma* in Bangladesh. Asma was forced to marry a stranger, who worked away in Malaysia. It was a fairly happy marriage and they had a child. Asma noticed her husband losing weight and getting sick a lot. The doctor diagnosed TB and suggested he have an HIV test, which was positive. Asma too had HIV. When the family found out, they weren?t allowed near household furniture, utensils or the toilet. As with other HIV positive people in Bangladesh they lost their property rights. Her family was terrified of catching the virus and even went as far as poisoning their food.
The only place Asma feels safe now is Ashar Alo. Ashar Alo is an organisation working in Dhaka which supports people with HIV. It provides medical care and treatment, counselling and education services. VSO volunteers work with Ashar Alo to build the staff skills so they can become more effective and help more people like Asma. (*Not her real name.)
Curry recipes from Manju Malhi, chef and author of Brit Spice and India with Passion, are available to inspire people to cook up a storm in their own kitchens. For more information on VSO?s Big Curry Night, curry recipes, party theme ideas and to get your Big Curry Night Pack visit www.vso.org.uk/curry
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