This Valentine’s Day, consider a stranger to treat a meal.
The Association of Special Needs (APSN) will launch its first social enterprise, “The Mystery Café of All Mankind,” tomorrow.
The APSN Adult Center in the Kembangan-Chai Chee Community Center offers nasi lemak and fusion foods such as Spaghetti A La Melayu – spaghetti and buckwheat noodles – for $ 4 to $ 6.
The café will be equipped with five ASPN trainees and a coach.
It has a pay-it-forward initiative where customers buy meal vouchers for others. Profits will be used to maintain the cafe.
“The main goal is to create an inclusive and caring society,” said Rick Lim, corporate director of ASPN.
Three years ago, the cafe’s idea was that APSN received negative feedback from food and beverage employers.
“They are reluctant to hire our students because they feel they have no relevant experience or the trainees are facing rejection when they work outside,” said Victor Tay, APSN chairman.
“Why not set up a coffee shop to help students gain experience and learn skills, such as customer service and kitchen technology, which will make their portfolios look good either.
A server is a 29-year-old Chen, who suffers from Down’s syndrome. His father Chen Jinhao 69 years old, eager to his son on-the-job training.
“I’ve always treated Kenny like a normal person, and I think it’s encouraging for parents,” he said.
“Kenny is quite timid, but I think (this experience) will make him more confident.
This article was first published on Feb 14, 2017.
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