The international airline company, Etihad Airways has introduced a nutritional education program for underprivileged children in Nepal.

The president of the World Chef Association, Thomas Gugler and Etihad In-flight chef, Sanjay Thakur hosted the Abu Dhabi-led initiative to teach children of Azizia Madrasa in Kathmandu, the benefits of healthy eating as per a press statement released by Etihad Airways. The children were taught how they can use locally found ingredients as the cornerstone of a nutritional diet.

The press statement quoting, chef Thakur stated, “I am a strong believer in the old adage that if you teach someone to do something for themselves, you have given a lesson for life, and that is what we are trying to do. It is not enough to simply donate a meal; our goal today is to teach these children the healthy habits that will last a lifetime, and the skills to implement them.”

Over 70 children who live at the orphanage were shown how to source and prepare simple dishes before enjoying Chef Thakur’s menu, including locally foraged shisnu and wild spinach soup for the starter. Likewise, the main course included locally farmed chicken casserole with barley and rhododendron rice pudding with yak dairy for dessert.

As a part of the initiative, the UAE Ambassador to Nepal, Saeed Hamdan Al Naqei also donated a total of 10 double bunk beds to the orphanage home.