Bringing smiles, and muffins, to the community

Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) Culinary student Donna Zhao likes to make people smile, and it is safe to say there were a few smiles going around when she made a donation of freshly baked cakes and muffins to local front-line health staff.

Donna came to Australia from China over eight years ago and these donations are her way of saying thanks to her local community and her new country. "I love Australia. I feel like it is my home. I am now a citizen and I wanted to give something back," Donna said.

Donna delivered her delicious homemade baked goods to staff at the walk-in-clinic at Weston Creek and to the Queanbeyan Hospital. Donna explained, "For my donations I made Macaroons, oat blueberry muffins and mocha tea-cake. I learned the skills to do this from my very kind and professional teachers at CIT."

"The staff were really happy to get these gifts, but really it was my privilege to be involved in helping people who were working so hard for us in the community. I received a letter of thanks from ACT Health. It made me really proud to be an Aussie." Donna said.

"Australia is a really great country and even with the current COVID-19 pandemic we are always pulling together to help each other. Australians have always made me feel welcome. CIT has also made me feel more a part of the local community," Donna said.

"I love studying at CIT. I have done many courses over the last few years, including computing skills and English. The teachers have always inspired me and encouraged me to do my best."

"Over the recent pause in classes I missed being at CIT, but my teachers stayed in touch to make sure I was OK, and to offer us other opportunities to keep training, such as some online tutorials on baking. I always felt connected and cared for," Donna said.

We want to thank Donna for all her hard work, and for bringing some joy to those who need it.