Cooking for a better living

Tuyeimo Haidula

THE name Ombili rings a bell among many Katutura inhabitants, as it is often considered as an area incapacitated by poverty.
But while the image around Ombili may be overwhelmingly negative; some of its residents have recently engaged in serious efforts to change the perception that ‘living there means poverty’.
Aili Venonya is one of those, who embarked on a journey to get Namibians off the streets, and enable them to provide for themselves.
Disheartened by the fact that people could not get jobs due to an apparent lack of skills and knowing very well that something could be done about it, Venonya decided to start up her own business, Aili Catering and Training Services CC in 2010. The services offered by Venonya and her team are especially offered to all those who cannot afford fees for higher learning institutions due to financial constraints.
“I woke up one day and while I was busy reading my newspaper, I came across an article which criticised and pointed out that Namibian people were unemployable because most of them had little or no skills at all,” Venonya said.
Living right next to the informal settlements, she added that her goal was to see every Namibian citizen in a better living condition.
“I live close to informal settlements, so when I see people jobless and suffering, I always want to help them acquire some skills. Since I have worked for Kalahari Hotel for 16 years, it was not going to be a difficult task for me,” she said.
The catering and training centre offers courses, such as baking, catering, waitressing, cooking, housekeeping and dry cleaning, with book keeping and record keeping as well as lessons for basic English being extended for free.
Since its inception, Venonya’s institution has trained more than 500 graduates who are now employed by Pick n’ Pay, Roman Catholic Hospital, Primi Piatti, Hilton Hotel, Africa Restaurant, Checkers, Spur Restaurant and Paguel Restaurant, just to mention a few. Other graduates have already started their own businesses.
Recently, 15 people graduated with a six-month certificate out of the 69 that have registered since January. The rest will enroll for a one-year diploma.
Having found a niche in her field of expertise, Venonya is one of the most prolific entrepreneurs not only interested in making profit but simultaneously creating an opportunity for those who wish to be trained but are financially crippled.
Aili Venonya also encourages business people to assist young individuals with finances in any way they can.
“We have also trained 10 people for free, those who had the anticipation to learn but had no money to pay. We provided them with attachments. Two are now employed at Pick n’ Pay and the rest got jobs here and there,” Venonya mentioned.
She also called on young people willing to learn but have no money to come forward. Adding that finances should not stop anyone from prospering in life.
Currently, the training facilities only have two men enrolled, although Venonya said that there is a demand for men in the industry.
“Only last week Checkers called and they asked me to give them 10 men but I only had two in the programme. They were fairly disappointed, so I am encouraging men to please come and join us too,” she said.
One of those who broke the stereotype that men cannot cook is Shilumbu Fransiskus who enrolled for a one-year diploma at Aili Catering to fulfill his dreams of becoming a chef.
“I have always dreamt of becoming a chef, and after acquiring good cooking skills, I can even start up my own business and create employment for other people as well,” Fransiskus said.
He also encouraged other men to join training, adding that it is not only a woman’s job but suitable for anyone who wishes to do it.
Looking at her new graduates proudly, Venonya encouraged them to work extra hard should they get employment from any company.
She also pleaded to the municipality of Windhoek to provide them with a bigger venue where she would be able to accommodate a large number of young people should they register for training.
The training centre has so far opened two branches, one at Oniipa Oshikoto Region in 2011 and at Onemanya in Okahao Constituency this year. If you also aspire to be a chef, Contact her at 081262621.