ChildFund announce Juan De La Cruz as newest ambassador

(Sydney, Australia).  ChildFund are excited to announce Juan De La Cruz as their latest ambassador and are keen to work closely with the  well-known TV Chef to connect him to the people of Timor-Leste. Juan will travel to the region on 14 October this year. While there, Juan will experience firsthand the work of ChildFund visiting education and health programs, and importantly  gain insights into the nutritional content of  traditional foods across the communities that partner with ChildFund. Juan is passionate about the  health of children and young people. He is interested in not only working with ChildFund to understand the local cooking and traditions in Timor-Leste, but also exploring how he can share ideas with  communities to improve nutritional intakes and diets for children and their families. . Based on his experience in Timor, Juan will craft his own inspired recipes to include in the global ChildFund recipe collection. The collection will be available in Australia as part of the ChildFund Holiday Appeal this December with all proceeds from this delicious one-of-a-kind collection supporting  work ChildFund does to alleviate poverty for children across the globe. ChildFund CEO Margaret Sheehan is excited by the new partnership and the strong connection this work can foster g between Australians and one of our closest neighbours. “We are thrilled to have Juan on board withhis passion for cooking innovative, high quality, nutritious and healthy foods.  His work is strongly aligned with our program priorities to give children the best possible start in life and this includes access to adequate nutrition and sanitation. “ChildFund has been working in Timor-Leste since 1990. Over 70 per cent of the population in the country  are aged under 25 so the nutritional health of children and young people is crucial to the success of this young nation. “ “This newly launched recipe collection will share stories about food and people and connect Australians to other regions where ChildFund works. I’m looking forward to trying some of the recipes with my family and friends to give them a taste of Timor Leste and  bring them closer  the children and work we do with our partners and supporters like our new Ambassador Juan. Juan was equally excited at the prospect of working with ChildFund and delivering  unique recipes and new cooking experiences to Australians. “I am so pleased and proud  to be a ChildFund ambassador because, for me, it is important that we live in a world where children have access to nutritious food, education, and healthy childhoods. I’m looking forward to collaborating with the ChildFund team and embarking on this new project.” “Being one of nine children in a big family in Argentina my mother showed me the positive impact cooking and nutrition could have on a child’s life. “The art of cooking, the creativity, the coming together, all offer valuable experiences to a child’s life, cooking not only improves the nutritional health of a child, as I saw in my own childhood, it can be a great learning experience and its fun!” “So, I’m completely thrilled to be part of the ChildFund team.”