Asian communities are not always the most compassionate of beings but there are pockets of society in Malaysia who do try to do their bit to enhance the lives of those less fortunate.
It is the hard work and effort of these people and especially Datin Paduka Khatijah Suleiman, that make charities like the Cheshire Home Selangor the success that it is . The Cheshire Home Selangor, a charity that provides a home for the disabled and vocational training for the disabled that enabled them to find paid work and create a meaningful like.
Today, they launched their first ever Social Business Venture, The Bakey Wakey Cafe at the Rivercity Mall in Jalan Ipoh. The opening was officiated by the Ambassador of Japan, Shigeru Nakamura.
This Social venture was created in collaboration with the Japanese government who run a similar scheme in Japan under the Swan Bakery brand. They have a successful business model with over 20 branches all over Japan.
The residents at the Cheshire Home were taught baking skills by bakers from the Japanese company AEON. This training created the first batch of bakers who now bake the products that are sold in the Bakey Wakey Cafe. There are plans to further expand the facilities in order to accommodate more trainees and number of cafes in the future.
The site of the first cafe was originally fully sponsored by the landlords but now they are charging the charity 50% of the rack rental. The business plan had to be reworked and some additional fund raising has to be done to cover the rent to enable this Social Enterprise to have a chance of surviving.
Japanese Breads at the Bakey Wakey Cafe
The shop was run by two charming lads today and they had a large array of Japanese Breads on display. We sampled some delicious muffin and cookies from the cafe and I’d say it is definitely worth a trip to stock up on the amazing Japanese Breads.
Bakey Wakey Cafe, Lot G-1 Rivercity, 3rd Mile Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur
To make donations to the Cheshire Home Selangor, please visit their site
