Thursday, 2 June 2011

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ITALY

(ENGLISH)
Festa della Repubblica (literally Festival of the Republic or, in English, Republic Day) is celebrated in Italy on the second of June each year. The day commemorates the institutional referendum held by universal suffrage in 1946, in which the Italian people were called to the polls to decide on the form of government, following the Second World War and the fall of Fascism. With 12,717,923 votes for a republic and 10,719,284 for the monarchy, the male descendants of the House of Savoy were sent into exile.
This year is also a very special year because we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, the birth of the nation ... so: ITALY WISHES, HAPPY 150th BIRTHDAY!
--
--
(ITALIANO)
La Festa della Repubblica Italiana viene celebrata il 2 giugno a ricordo della nascita della Repubblica.
Il 2 e il 3 giugno 1946 si tenne, infatti, il referendum istituzionale indetto a suffragio universale con il quale gli italiani venivano chiamati alle urne per esprimersi su quale forma di governo, monarchia o repubblica, dare al Paese, in seguito alla caduta del fascismo. Dopo 85 anni di regno, con 12.718.641 voti contro 10.718.502, l'Italia diventava repubblica e i monarchi di casa Savoia venivano esiliati.
Il 2 giugno celebra la nascita della nazione, in maniera simile al 14 luglio francese (anniversario della Presa della Bastiglia) e al 4 luglio statunitense (giorno in cui nel 1776 venne firmata la dichiarazione d'indipendenza)...quindi: AUGURI ITALIA, BUON 150esimo ANNIVERSARIO!!!

Wednesday, 25 May 2011

OLGA'S STAFFS

--
Some of the Olga’s staff members:/Parte del personale di Olga’s: Isaac, Barbra, Talent, Kelvin, Martha, Josephat, Imboela, Evelyn, Purity, Gerard, Namakau, Saputu, Mishongo, Mike, Brandina, Esther.

Monday, 16 May 2011

OLGA’S NEW GUEST HOUSE

(ENGLISH)
Olga's is growing!
Thank you for your support, two years after its inauguration, Olga's has become one of the landmarks of Livingstone and its waiters, chefs and pizza chefs, with their enthusiasm and the teachings of Giuseppe, an Italian CeLIM volunteer, will soon be able to manage by themselves.

On the success achieved by Olga's Project, CeLIM and Politecnico di Milano are starting to build a guest house in front of the restaurant, thanks to the Diappi Family donation, Olga’s friends supports and Cariplo Foundation funds.
In fact, the Cariplo Foundation has selected our project, among the hundreds of proposals that were submitted, entitled: LEARNING BY DOING: SELF-FINANCIALY AND VOCATIONAL GROWTH IN A TRAINING CENTER WITH THE CREATION OF AN ACCOMMODATION IN LIVINGSTONE ". This money will help us to cover part of the necessary cost of the construction of the rooms and the YCTC students training in hotel management and construction techniques.
The project intend realize in over two years:
- create a structure (a complex of about 9 rooms) in order to ensure the economic scheme of YCTC;
- to train YCTC students in innovative and environmentally sustainable construction techniques;
- to train YCTC students in hotel management and catering;
- promoting responsible tourism and foster solidarity and replicability of the model of small accommodation facilities;
In April 2011 the first assessment mission has already made to identify the company that will implement the construction of chambers and a contract was signed: the work will begin soon!
The project is simple (to keep costs down), but very nice. Involves the construction of nine rooms with private bathroom and veranda, a high thatched roof as in the dining room of the restaurant, with an excellent ventilation system and local materials and skills designed by professors of architecture of the Politecnico di Milano. The doors, windows, furniture and fabrics of the rooms will be made by students instead of school.
There is still much more to tell but we await the start of work!
--

--
(ITALIANO)
Olga’s sta crescendo !
Grazie anche al vostro sostegno, a due anni dalla sua inaugurazione, Olga’s è diventato uno dei punti di riferimento di Livingstone e i suoi camerieri, chef e pizzaioli, con il loro entusiasmo e gli insegnamenti di Giuseppe, volontario CeLIM, saranno presto in grado di gestirlo in autonomia.
Sulla base del successo raggiunto da Olga’s e per permettere, in futuro, ad un numero sempre più crescente di giovani in difficoltà di accedere ai corsi professionali gratuiti del YCTC, CeLIM e Politecnico di Milano stanno avviando la costruzione di una Guest House nel comprensorio di Olga's, grazie al sostegno delle donazioni della famiglia Diappi, degli amici di Olga’s e i fondi della Fondazione Cariplo.
Infatti , la Fondazione Cariplo ha selezionato il nostro progetto, intitolato:  LEARNING BY DOING: AUTOFINANZIAMENTO E CRESCITA PROFESSIONALE IN UN CENTRO FORMATIVO CON LA CREAZIONE DI UNA STRUTTURA RICETTIVA A LIVINGSTONE”  tra le centinaia di proposte sottoposte e contribuirà a coprire parte dei costi necessari per la costruzione delle stanze e la formazione degli studenti del YCTC in tecniche costruttive e hotel management.
Il progetto si propone nell’arco di due anni di :
-          Creare una struttura ricettiva (un complesso di circa 9 stanze) non profit all’interno di Olga’s con lo scopo, a regime di garantire la sostenibilità economica del YCTC (linka  pagina YCTC sul sito olga’s);
-          Formare gli studenti del YCTC in tecniche costruttive innovative e eco sostenibili;
-          Formare  gli studenti del YCTC in hotel management e catering;
-          Promuovere turismo responsabile e solidale e favorire la replicabilità del modello di piccole strutture ricettive;
Ad Aprile 2011 è già avvenuta la prima missione di valutazione per identificare l’impresa che realizzerà la costruzione delle camere ed è stato firmato un contratto: presto cominceranno i lavori!
Il progetto  è semplice (per contenere i costi), ma molto bello. Prevede la costruzione di 9 stanze con bagno privato e veranda, un alto tetto di paglia (tauched roof) come nella sala da pranzo del ristorante, con un ottimo sistema di areazione studiato da docenti di Architettura del Politecnico di Milano utilizzando materiali e competenze locali. Le porte, le finestre, la mobilia e i tessuti delle stanze saranno invece realizzati dagli allievi della scuola.
C’è ancora tanto altro da raccontare ma aspettiamo l’inizio dei lavori!
--

Monday, 9 May 2011

YCTC CATERING FINAL EXAMS (06/07-05-11)

--
(ENGLISH)
Last week the final exams for the catering course were conducted at YCTC. The 24 students who begun the one year course on June 2010, went through theoretical and practical exams. On Friday and Saturday morning, divided in 12 groups, the students prepared the practical test: arranging a meal composed of two courses for two customers, taking care of both the quality and preparation of the food, and the arranging of the table and hospitality. “Dancing Monkey”, “Farfalle Tuna and Olives”, “Nshima with Green Beans”, “Bruschetta”, “Chicken Wings”, “Tortillas”, “Fried Brim” ...only some of the dishes that the customers/examiners tasted during the exam. At the end of the meal, every customer was invited to give his or her opinions and evaluations. Satisfied and full, the examiners thanked the students and the teachers, Mrs. Nawa and Mrs. Nyirenda, congratulating everybody on the great job. Among the students there were also Yvonne and Regan that, after finishing the three months attachment, are continuing their collaboration with Olga’s. Waiting for the exams results, we wish all the students good luck, surely they will find a good job in catering, thanks to the knowledge and the experiences acquired at YCTC!
Meanwhile new students are in class, ready to learn and practice...
--
--
--
(ITALIANO)
La scorsa settimana si sono svolti gli esami finali del corso di catering al YCTC. I 24 studenti che hanno frequentato il corso annuale iniziato a giugno 2010, hanno sostenuto esami teorici e pratici. Nelle mattine di venerdì e sabato, divisi in 12 squadre, gli studenti hanno preparato la prova pratica: organizzare un pasto composto da due portate per altrettanti ospiti, curando sia qualità e presentazione del cibo, che sistemazione del tavolo ed accoglienza clienti. “Dancing Monkey”, “Farfalle Tune and Olives”, “Nshima and green Beans”, “Bruschetta”, “Chicken Wings”, “Tortillas”, “Fried Brim” ...sono solo alcuni dei piatti che i clienti/esaminatori hanno potuto gustare. Al termine del pasto ogni cliente è stato invitato a fornire le proprie opinioni e valutazioni. Soddisfatti e sazi, gli esaminatori hanno ringraziato i ragazzi e le insegnanti, Mrs. Nawa e Mrs. Nyirenda, congratulandosi con tutti per l’ottimo lavoro. Tra gli studenti c’erano anche Yvonne e Regan che, dopo lo stage di tre mesi previsto dal corso, hanno proseguito la loro collaborazione ad Olga’s. In attesa di conoscere i risultati degli esami, auguriamo buona fortuna a tutti gli studenti, certi che tutti sapranno trovare la propria strada grazie alle conoscenze e alle esperienze acquisite.
E intanto da domani nuovi studenti saranno in classe, pronti ad imparare e a sperimentare...
--
--

Wednesday, 27 April 2011

ELENA & RICHARD, WELCOME ON BOARD!

(ENGLISH)
Olgas’s is pleased and excited at the addition of two new members to our group! At the beginning of March the Italian civil servant volunteers Elena Colombo and Richard Sonsino arrived in Livingstone and they will stay with us for a year. Richard, graduate in Architecture, will help Olga’s management, dealing with the project’s in communication and maintenance. While Elena, a graduate in Psychology is going to work mainly at the Youth Community Training Centre supporting the school’s administration and also keeping the link between Olga’s and YCTC. There is another new surprise for all the Olga’s friends but you will find more information about it in the next week post. Keep in touch with us!
--
--
(ITALIANO)
Tutta Olga's è contenta ed eccitata per l'aggiunta di due nuovi membri al nostro gruppo! All'inizio di marzo i servizio civilisti Elena Colombo e Richard Sonsino sono arrivati ​​a Livingstone e rimarranno con noi per un anno. Richard, laureato in architettura, aiuterà nella gestione di Olga's, in tutto quello che riguarda la comunicazione (sul web e sulla carta stampata) e nella manutenzione dei locali esistenti mentre Elena, laureata in Psicologia lavorerà principalmente presso lo Youth Community Training Centre a sostegno dell'amministrazione della scuola e per mantenere stretto il legame tra Olga e YCTC. Vi è un'altra nuova sorpresa per tutti gli amici di Olga's ma potrete trovare altre informazioni su questa bellissima notizia nel post della prossima settimana. Seguiteci

Thursday, 8 July 2010

Double birth celebrations at Olga's

--
At Olga's we are celebrating a great event: Mishongo and Giuseppe have become the proud parents of Liseli and Gerardo. All relatives in Italy, the staff, work colleagues and all the friends currently in Zambia, those in Italy and those in other parts of the world welcome with joy the birth of the two babies. Welcome to the world!
--

Monday, 14 June 2010

World Cup Spaghetti

--
Ignoring the event that's "Taking over" South Africa would be irreverent, so we at Olga's have made arrangements so that our guests can follow the Football World Cup. We have therefore set up a confortable TV corner where fans can support their team but we have also concocted a special dish fit for the occasion. This dish is a fusion of flavours from the world's northern and southern hemisphere: the unmistakable taste of San Marzano tomatoes, the flavour of olive oil, the aroma of oregano combine with the exotic delicacy of crocodile meat cooked in South African wine into a sauce for traditional italian spaghetti. A taste from around the world!
--

Wednesday, 2 June 2010

...today there's something new at Olga's

We had laid the first stone of what is to become Graziella's garden, the new arrangement of the area in front of the restaurant which at the moment is not in use.
--
--
This is a small contribution to Olga's project promoted by a group of friends of Graziella, Tiziana' sister (Tiziana being currently in Livingston for this reason) who died a year ago. The garden will feature some areas paved with local stones with picnic tables of different size.
Here costumers will be able to surf the Net using the existing wi-fi connection while enjoying a pizza or a tiramisù in the shade of the mango trees. There will also be some playground equipment for children: a sand pit, a swing and a see-saw. And naturally a great variety of colourful flowers. There is not better way to commemorate Graziella, a passionate gardener who dedicated many years of her life to working as a psychologist with disabled children.

Wednesday, 7 October 2009

CeLIM MEETING (26.09.2009)

--
The 26th of September Zambia Celim Crew met in Lusaka for the Celim Meeting. It was a good moment to share the different experiences about the various projects in Zambia and it was the moment to thank Michela, Lucia and Gabriel because they are about to conclude their work experience in Zambia.
All Olga’s Team thank Gabriel for the extraordinary time he spent at Olga’s and wish him a safe journey to Brazil…. Grazie!!!
For more info; www.celim.it

Thursday, 10 September 2009

Sharon and Anaiawa YCTC students in Catering

Sharon making pizza dough at Olga's
--
As soon as the school holidays of the Catering Course of the YCTC started the students Sharon and Anaiawa joined our kitchen staff for a 1 month work experience.
Both were recommended by their lectures as being the best students of the term and therefore were given the chance of applying everything they learned at the course in a real and busy restaurant of Livingstone: Olga’s Italian Corner.  The idea worked out so nicely that Olga’s will keep welcoming more students that are on the holiday period to join our kitchen. This is exactly how Olga’s and the YCTC work together, combining theory and practice in one big Project!
The lessons will be back this Monday the 7th of September and also Sharon and Anaiawa will leave us to keep the focus on the studies! Thanks girls for the support and keep studying!

Wednesday, 9 September 2009

Happy Birthday Olga’s!

--
After a tough and long year of work here we are completing 1 year of Olga’s Project. Thanks everybody who ever contributed for the success of the Project and keep up the good work!
Picture: Silembo, Beppe, Gerald, Brandina, Peter, Esnard, Talent, Conceptor, Jonas, Minu and Gabriel

Friday, 7 August 2009

Pieces of our Guestbook

After almost one year since Olga’s opened we could not find a better way to demonstrate people’s impressions about our food and project than sharing with you pieces of our guestbook! Here we go!

16/12/2008

“I’m so glad to have found out about Olga’s Project, I’ll certainly be including it in my recommendations to Lonely Planet! Happy to support such a worthy cause in return for a delicious dinner and some Christmas shopping! Thanks for all you do, keep it up! Hope to be back soon!”

Tess Dornfeld, Owatonna/Minnesota.

03/07/2009

“Best place to eat in all of Zambia! You got to live the food, the cause and the big orange oven. I can’t wait to come back! God bless.”

Jack, USA

13/07/2009

“Awesome project, lovely people and probably the best pizza in Southern Africa – I will be recommending to anyone who comes this way!

Adam, England