ADF personnel took a break from their military training on Exercise Hari’i Hamutuk in Timor-Leste to pick up tongs and provide a barbecue for more than 500 children.
Spearheaded by chefs from the 10th Force Support Battalion, personnel spent a day at Kantina Matak (the ‘green kitchen’) behind the presidential palace in Dili.
The nutrition program provides daily meals to some of the most vulnerable members of the community, including children, pregnant women and young mothers.
ADF personnel treated the children to a traditional Aussie barbecue, providing burgers and sausages, and serving fresh salads.
Head chef Sergeant Naomi Whiting, of 1st Catering Company in Darwin, said it was a rewarding challenge.
“I’ve certainly cooked for more than 500 before but normally in a full kitchen set-up with many chefs with me,” Sergeant Whiting said.
“Instead, we brought just two barbecues with us, and had a full production line going – sigs, sappers, medics and F-FDTL (Timor Leste Defence Force) all buttering bread, laying out salads and assembling burgers.
“The gratitude from these kids – their ‘ombrigada’ and ‘thank you Australians’ – just made it so worth it to be out in the heat.”
With nearly half the population living in poverty and some of the world’s highest rates of child under-nutrition, the Kantina Matak program provides more than 500 meals a day to children and vulnerable groups in the capital and surrounding areas.
The kitchen also serves meals to 120 children at Labeh Primary School in Comoro, and 220 children in the Hera township.
Head of Women and Economic Empowerment in the office of the President of Timor-Leste, Bella Galhos, said the ADF’s involvement not only helped feed the children but brought a sense of joy.
“Nutritious meals are so important to overcome issues such as stunted growth and impacted learning for children,” Ms Galhos said.
“Things like beef, burgers, they are very costly, and it’s very exciting for the children to have an opportunity to try a traditional Australian barbeque, with real Australian soldiers.”
Kantina Matak, established in December 2022, is part of President José Ramos-Horta’s mission to combat malnutrition in Timor-Leste.
Ms Galhos said that since the kitchen opened, many, including the ADF, have seen it as an opportunity to help Timor-Leste grow.
“Kantina Matak is not just a simple kitchen, it’s a community, and a place for the president to connect with his people; a service where everyone can connect and create opportunities,” she said.
“We hope to make a difference.”
