Creating Opportunities Of Kindness
Directors
Denira Varma
Co-Founder & Chairperson
I have often been asked why we started COOK or why it is that we do what we do, but I find the more important question is “Why aren’t you?”. It’s become clear to me that small actions, that kindness and compassion, can make the biggest difference to those who so desperately need it. It’s also become abundantly clear that so many people want to “do good” or get involved but are often offput by the lack of transparency or because they don’t fully understand the conditions people live in. It’s quite simple, if we have the capacity or means to help, if we can play an active role in shaping a South Africa we believe in, then we should.
Mogisen Iyer
Co-Founder & Director
Being surrounded by poverty, hunger crime and unemployment at the levels that one is exposed to in South Africa, it was difficult for me to understand how to make a difference in a meaningful manner to people's lives, in an effective way. Co-founding Cook has given me the opportunity to create a platform where myself and many other like-minded people, can come together and assist people in many ways that can make a huge difference to their lives. Cook is an organisation that offers people an avenue to be part of something special, giving them the transparency of where their contributions go, and enables them to participate in making a change while still going about their daily lives.
Naushaad Mootheram
Director
Service to others has always been one of my values and a core part of who I am. Seeing poverty around me as I grew up, consistently drove me to do something, no matter how small, to improve the lives or situations of those lacking basic human needs, particularly food. Being a COOK. director means that I can contribute, on a much larger scale, to making a difference in the lives of other people - especially those in underserved communities. It gives me great pleasure to promote, support and facilitate the kindness of others, and channel this generosity to where it is most needed.
Amalesh Authar
Director
COOK is a platform to support the community, in the form of feeding, upskilling and assisting others who might not have any other means to support themselves. I see COOK as a much-needed lifeline for those who need care, nourishment and guidance, and it is an honour to serve COOK as a director, in order for COOK to serve others. As a director, it is my small way to play a part in keeping the NPO running and thriving, in order for COOK to continue its essential service. Being self-employed, I am able to assist COOK in the management and undertakings of the NPO, and to guide COOK to becoming a prosperous endeavour. In addition, I am able to assist the organisation from a corporate governance perspective based on formal training as a member of the Institute of Directors South Africa (IoDSA).
Shamim Varma
Director
COOK creates opportunities beyond just serving meals. It’s easy to give someone a handout, be it groceries or money, but you’re never quite sure if those contributions are meaningful or even used by the recipient. With COOK, we’re able to connect with people, we engage and interact with those we serve while providing them with a hot, nutritious meal. And that’s what is important, it’s that COOK serves the most desperate, the most vulnerable but that we do it with compassion and kindness. Being a director at COOK means that I get to play an active part in being the solution, because we are the ones responsible for creating a better South Africa.