[AODA members] Focus groups in refugee camp settings

[Charmain Tan,RD, AD]

Dear Erika,
What an interesting job you got.   I don't know much about conducting 
focus groups so just going to share the foods with you.
I was born in Burma (Myanmar) so know a bit about its culture and 
foods.  I'm sure you had got some info online but I had noticed they 
missed out one simple foods; ie. the beans that eaten with flour wrap; 
like Mexican foods.  They called it Nan Pya (flour wrap) and Pae Puik 
(boiled beans).  Have you tried it before?  It's simple and easy to 
prepare, low in cost and is a good protein source - one of the foods I 
really miss.  It tastes very delicious when served hot and usually eaten 
as breakfast. Burmese do like to toss it with oil and salt to taste, so 
better not to overdo with them unless they need extra calories from fat.

When I went back to visit 10 years ago, I was asked to eat that for 
breakfast as a transition, afterall, I had left Burma for many years, 
they afraid I wouldn't be able to tolerate the foods there. 
Hope you find it helpful,
Charmain
CR of Hong Kong




Erika Garrity Pied wrote:
> Hello fellow AODA members,
>  
> Hopefully, you are all easing well into the New Year. 
>  
> I am writing in the hopes that some of you may be able to provide 
> some tips or recommend resources related to conducting focus groups 
> specifically in a refugee camp setting.  I work along the 
> Thailand/Burma border in 9 camps and am in the midst of planning some 
> focus groups to gather input and feedback about some recipes we would 
> like to introduce in the camps related to ration food usage and 
> preparation.  I am particular interested in how to develop appropriate 
> questions for focus groups and selecting appropriate, well 
> representative groups for a diverse community.  I have found some 
> general information on-line, but would like more specific examples and 
> recommendations.  Please let me know if you can offer any advice or 
> recommend resources relevant to this area.
>  
> Many thanks.
> Erika Garrity Pied
>  
>  
> Erika Garrity Pied, MS, RD
> Nutrition Technical Officer
> Thailand Burma Border Consortium
> 804 Intarakhiree Road
> Mae Sot, Tak, 63110 Thailand
> Tel: 66-5-553-4254