ZALIKA, ETHIOPIA

To Zalika, green is the colour of her home, the lush landscape of her countryside, the clothing her grandmother always wore and the gardens her family tended to and lived from, the beans, the spinach, the green chillies. Her grandmother was a community leader, adored for her honesty, her generosity and the wisdom she passed on freely to all who needed it. Every morning, all the family would come and gather at her grandmother’s home, sharing breakfast surrounded by the flowers and fresh produce of her garden. Her grandmother would wake up at 5am to prepare, so that everyone could start the day together, before work, before school. It was with her grandmother and mother that Zalika learnt to cook, mixing cardamom seeds and red chillies into their family recipes. Now a mother herself, Zalika carries on these traditions, leading her own family with the same love and strength and finding any excuse to gather together and eat. She draws her energy and happiness from community, which to Zalika means opening your home to look after and feed one another. You’re welcome in her community anytime.