Our kids, a product of mum and dad of course, are not the most conventional of children. They are reluctant to accept direction and rules, and have developed a habit of saying that “school would be much better without the teachers and the work”.
Who are we to claim otherwise? Yeshi did not experience the institution of school until he was already grown up. His childhood wasn’t easy (we went here last week) but it was magical in many ways, with freedoms that our kids can only dream of. But I am very much a product of the system, and it has served both me and Taste Tibet well. So make the most of school, we tell them, in order that you may enjoy freedoms later in life: education will open doors for you.
Navigating COVID has drawn on all our combined skills and experience, but making our business work financially during this hugely challenging time has certainly required maximum use of the learned stuff. Language and education are everything in moments like this. We have successfully applied for mortgage holidays, rates relief, and so on. We have been able to access government grants and loans and to tap into the very valuable OxLEP funding scheme. The ability to network and communicate well in person and on paper has given us that edge.
But many in our industry do not have these skills, and it seems likely that some are missing out on game-changing grants and assistance during this time. Do you know someone for whom English is not their first language who is struggling to keep in business right now? If so, please do share our post and contact details, as well as our willingness to help. Anyone who knows me knows that Taste Tibet admin is my least favourite part of the job, but at this time I feel lucky to be able to keep on top of it, and duty-bound to share what I have learned. This may lead to tangible financial benefits for you or someone you know. Please get in touch!
Meanwhile thank you again to everyone who is supporting us through these uncertain times. Our new place on Magdalen Road is in its painful final stages now. We hope to be open in some capacity before the end of the year. Watch this space.
For now we continue outside Silvie on Thursdays and Fridays, 5-9pm (eat in or take home) or you can pre-order for home delivery this Saturday. Click through to our online shop to check out this week’s menu.
