Strabane young people offered ‘pizza the action’

AN innovative new cookery project is being ‘rolled’ out for the empowerment of the district’s young people.

Initiated by Strabane AYE (Access Youth Engagement) project, the scheme saw scores of pizza kits delivered to young people from Dunamanagh to Strabane to Newtownstewart, this week so that they might become ‘kingpins’ of the kitchen.

The concept is being facilitated to help mitigate against young people being marginalised at this time of lock-down and social distancing.

“We’re going around to all the young people who work with Strabane AYE and each is getting a pizza kit with all the ingredients to make two pizzas,” Jacqueline Gallagher from the community group explained. “It’ll be enough to feed the whole family and it’s like a celebration of a family event.

“We thought it would be a great idea, something enjoyable.

“Inside the box there are full instructions to go online and develop new skills. This will empower our young people, and that will allow them to celebrate in the making of a family meal at home.”

Containing pre-mixed and authentic pizza dough, a tomato ragu, cheese, vegetables and pepperoni, there is also a Youtube tutorial that the young people can watch by way of instruction. A further 100 kits will be distributed around Strabane this Friday night.

Paul Gallagher of Strabane AYE continued, “At a time when people, especially young people are feeling marginalised and isolated, this is a way of empowering those young people.

“With all the ingredients to make two pizzas, to feed the whole family, that young person can make the pizzas and become the kingpins of the house.”

Strabane AYE purchased the pizza kits from Rath Mor co-operative in Derry.