Texas is one of the top three states with the highest number of Burmese refugees, with many settling in Dallas. HHM Health provides resources to those in need.
DALLAS — “It smells so good,” Sutin Parr said as she mixed six ingredients together to make homemade granola bars.
Parr recently attended a cooking class at HHM Health created especially for Burmese refugees. The mother of four is originally from Myanmar and has lived in Dallas for the past eight years.
“My life has been liberated,” she said.
Texas ranks as one of the top three states for Burmese refugee resettlement. To help them adjust to their new lifestyle, HHM Health offers several resources to Burmese in Dallas.
“Our goal at HHM Health is to be a building where people feel safe,” said Henry Walker, registered dietitian at HHM Health. “There are no requirements for people to be able to receive health care here.”
Cooking classes give you the opportunity to learn skills in the kitchen and show off a variety of household appliances. Walker also taught people how to read the nutrition facts label on the side of the box.
Walker chooses simple recipes for each cooking class. On Nov. 21, she chose a granola bar with six ingredients, including rolled oats, peanut butter, honey, vanilla, chocolate chips, and coconut.
Coconut was the key ingredient.
“First of all, I look for ingredients that are culturally familiar to them,” Walker said. “Food that blends well with children's tastes, seasonings, and palates.”
Parr is grateful for the friends she has made at HHM Health, including the staff she has met.
“I've been able to meet and connect with more women,” Parr said through an interpreter. “I'm happy that the children can learn about their favorite foods.”
She has taken three cooking classes so far and is looking forward to taking many more.
