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Meals that rebuild refugee lives

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About the host

PichaEat's refugee hosts come from a diverse range of countries, including Afghanistan, Pakistan and Myanmar. 

PichaEat's refugee
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Engage and converse with refugees over traditional meals at the PichaEats' Open House, which help refugees earn a livelihood.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

You provide refugees with an opportunity to not just showcase their culture, food and heritage, but also give them a chance at a sustainable livelihood. PichaEats pays its chefs 50 per cent of the sales from each meal. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas. 

Watch our story on PichaEats to see their impact in action.

You provide refugees with an opportunity to not just showcase their culture, food and heritage, but also give them a chance at a sustainable livelihood. PichaEats pays its chefs 50 per cent of the sales from each meal. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Kuala Lumpur for more travel tips and ideas. 

Watch our story on PichaEats to see their impact in action.

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Engage and converse with refugees over traditional meals at the PichaEats' Open House, which help refugees earn a livelihood.
PichaEats
Meals that rebuild refugee lives
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PichaEats provides the addresses of the Open Houses when bookings are confirmed. Locations vary and it may be best to book a Grab if you are unfamiliar with the city. 

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Use the opportunity to converse with the refugees and seek to understand their culture, food and lives. 

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Respect the privacy of the hosts by not sharing their identities when you're taking photographs of your delicious meal! 

Enjoy tasty Malaysian fare that pays it forward

About the host

Owner Desonny wanted to open a restaurant where diners could help give back to society, and hit upon the idea of pay-it-forward vouchers after coming across a video of a similar concept being done somewhere else. 

Meet Desonny of Charlie's Cafe

Owner Desonny
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This cozy joint doesn’t just satisfy diners with Malaysian favourites. Diners can buy a meal for those in need through “pay-it-forward” vouchers. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Every RM5 (US$1.20) voucher buys a catered-and-delivered meal for someone in need. In addition, owner Desonny Tuzan supports the livelihood of indigenous Hulu Langat farmers by sourcing agricultural produce from them.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Malaysia for more travel tips and ideas. 

Every RM5 (US$1.20) voucher buys a catered-and-delivered meal for someone in need. In addition, owner Desonny Tuzan supports the livelihood of indigenous Hulu Langat farmers by sourcing agricultural produce from them.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Malaysia for more travel tips and ideas. 

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This cozy joint doesn’t just satisfy diners with Malaysian favourites. Diners can buy a meal for those in need through “pay-it-forward” vouchers.
Charlie's Cafe
Enjoy tasty Malaysian fare that pays it forward
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Getting there
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Consider taking a taxi or use a ride-hailing app like Grab as there are limited public transport options and street parking. 

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Don't miss the Sarawak laksa or the fried chicken chop.

A heritage shophouse of cake and culture

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China House
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Spread over three heritage shophouses, China House’s legendary cake spread features up to 50 varieties at any time. The space is also a hub for poets, musicians and other creatives.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

China House’s painstakingly restored premises help keep Penang’s rich heritage alive. Its mission to foster the arts and its enjoyment also helps creativity thrive in the city.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas

China House’s painstakingly restored premises help keep Penang’s rich heritage alive. Its mission to foster the arts and its enjoyment also helps creativity thrive in the city.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Penang for more travel tips and ideas!

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Spread over three heritage shophouses, China House’s legendary cake spread features up to 50 varieties at any time. The space is also a hub for poets, musicians and other creatives.
China House
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Like many places in George Town, China House is best accessed on foot if you are within the area. Street parking is available but limited. 

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Take advantage of MBPP Rapid Penang CAT, a free shuttle that connects major attractions in George Town.

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Explore and savour  the nooks and crannies in this recommended order: Start at the 155 Beach St entrance, wander through Kopi C Espresso Cafe & Bar. See BTB & Restaurant and Bon Ton the Shop II at 153 Beach Street. Further along, walk through the Reading Room with its sections of magazines, books and CDs 

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Check out Art Lane, China House’s latest initiative a few doors away — the entire interior of a building has been turned into a canvas for budding artists

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See China House’s Facebook page for latest happenings

All Soul and Spice: The Call of Kupang, Indonesia

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Cafe Inklusi is a cafe and coffee house in Kupang which serves up authentic local food and coffee, prepared for by talented deaf cooks and barista.

By dining at Cafe Inklusi you support the professional development of staff members, as well as Kopi Saa’s outreach programmes which support other marginalised communities.

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In Indonesia’s Kupang, Cafe Inklusi is part of a gastronomical and societal revolution - serving traditional cuisine made by the deaf.
Barista Tanel Loa and cook An Mone sign Inklusi (inclusive) in the BISINDO sign language.
All Soul and Spice: The Call of Kupang, Indonesia
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Gettting There
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View CafeIn 1 (Dekranasda) location

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View CafeIn 2 (LLBK/Tedis) location

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Flights into Kupang’s El Tari International Airport are available from Jakarta, Surabaya, Denpasar (Bali), Labuan Bajo (Flores/Komodo) and Dili (Timor Leste).

Both locations of Cafe Inklusi are easy to reach from most accommodations in Kupang City. The easiest way to reach either cafe is by ordering an online taxi service.

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Dining at CafeIn

Head Chef Sischa or Head Barista Kichi are likely your go-to contact person for communications in English. Both women moonlight at CafeIn on evenings and Saturdays, while working their own day jobs in Kupang-based NGOs

Even if you don’t know BISINDO, CafeIn’s deaf staff appreciate visitors who make the effort to introduce themselves in fingerspelling. “Nice to meet you,” “thank you” and “you’re welcome” are all easy and likely among the first signs you would learn.

If you speak Indonesian, communicate with deaf staff in writing or take your mask off and speak slowly using simple words to allow lip reading. 

To ensure that the dishes mentioned in this story are available during your visit, call Sischa to arrange for them in advance.

CafeIn is applying for Halal certification and serves no pork or lard. If you require gluten-free or vegan/vegetarian items, or have certain allergies or sensitivities, notify Sischa in advance to discuss recipe modifications.

CafeIn is closed on Sundays, except for secret menu bookings made in advance. Only Sischa and Kichi will be present for Sunday bookings.

With prior arrangements, CafeIn is available to cater for on-site events or ones in Kupang City. 

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Exploring Kupang

Once you’ve had your fill of great food at Cafe In, you can continue to explore the rest of magical Kupang. Kupang can refer to the metropolitan Kupang City, or the much larger rural Kupang Regency, which comprises nearly 20 per cent  of Timor Island west of the Noelmina River, as well as Semau Island.

Kupang’s Old City waterfront is popularly known as Tedis Beach, but its proper name is Lahi Lai Bissi Kopan (LLBK), which means “the place from which Kupang originated” in the Helong language. Famous landmarks in LLBK include Fort Concordia and its lighthouse, which are situated where the Dendeng River meets Kupang Bay. 

Today LLBK is known for its vibrant local nightlife, with many bars, cafes and hawker’s stalls in the vicinity. CafeIn 2 is situated in the LLBK/Old City district, about a three minute walk from the Tedis waterfront.

Greater Kupang is home to seven indigenous clan kingdoms:  Amabi, Amabi-Oefeto, Babau, Funay, Helong, Lesser Sonbai and Taebenu. They united as one Kupang Kingdom in 1917 as West Timor transitioned from Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie or VOC to Dutch East Indies rule. Kichi’s se’i infused cocktail Royal 1917 is an homage to this historical event.

Kupang’s Old City is the Helong homeland, but most Helong migrated to Semau island in the 18th century to flee from the Penfui War. Kupang is also home to sizable Rotinese and Savunese diaspora communities. These ethnic groups are portrayed on the murals in the LLBK Old City district.

Indonesian is spoken by almost everybody in Kupang City, but the colloquial lingua franca is “Bahasa Kupang” (Timorese Malay),  an abbreviated Malay-based creole influenced by local languages such as Helong, Dawan and Rotinese. Timorese Malay speakers find it mutually intelligible with standard Indonesian, but many Indonesian speakers unfamiliar with Timorese Malay don’t think so. English is widely spoken in hotels and workplaces, but not necessarily by taxi drivers, shopkeepers or restaurant staff.

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Getting some Se’i

CafeIn does not make their own se’i, but Google Maps lists about a dozen smokehouses in Kupang City that do. CafeIn sources beef se’i from Se’i Opa Rote in Jalan Timor Raya and tuna se’i from an unlisted Se’i Ikan Sisuka. Se’i Baun, also listed as Se’i Babi Baun Om Bai,  is located in Tunbaun village in Kupang Regency, about an hour’s drive from Kupang City. Many drivers know its location.

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Places to stay and shop

Kupang City  offers plenty of options for accommodation. Seaview hotels are available along  Jalan Timor Raya, the north coast main road facing Kupang Bay, at price ranges between IDR400,000 — Rp800,000 (USD28-55) per night. Cheaper accommodation is available inland.

The Dekranasda building, where CafeIn 1 is situated, is a good place to shop for Timorese and other artisan products from all over NTT province, including handicrafts, snacks, coffee and essential oil. Upstairs of CafeIn Dekranasda there is an ikat showroom with live demonstrations on weekdays.

A restaurant with wellness on the menu

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Yummy meals, organic produce, a traditional chinese medicine clinic, a yoga space and childcare – Mahota is a commune for the modern age

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Farm-to-table cuisine and organic produce? At Mahota, you can dine knowing that your meal isn't just good for you, it's good for the earth too. 

Read our Weekend of Good Singapore guide for more travel tips

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Yummy meals, organic produce, a traditional chinese medicine clinic, a yoga space and childcare – Mahota is a commune for the modern age.
A restaurant with wellness on the menu
A restaurant with wellness on the menu
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Take an MRT train to Lavender station along the East West Line, and walk to Kitchener Complex. 

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Mahota Commune has two sections – Mahota Pantry, serving Chinese-style dishes, and Mahota Kitchen, which serves western-style dishes with subtle Asian touches. Take the time to choose what tickles your palate.

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After your meal, walk off the calories with a stroll around the retail section and supermarket, which is fun even if you don't buy anything.

A sustainable cafe with style

About the host

The Social Space is a social enterprise founded by couple Cheryl Ou and Daniel Yeow. Cheryl Ou also co-founded The Nail Social (on Haji Lane) in 2014, which provides vocational training for underprivileged women as manicurists.

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One cool space, many good things. Come for the great food, lovely homeware made by social enterprises, and a nail salon that empowers the disadvantaged.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

The Social Space supports socially-conscious businesses from all around Asia by carrying their products in their retail space. All items are chosen for their high quality, good design and social and environmental impact.

The owners also use the business as a platform to offer employment and training opportunities to people from marginalised backgrounds to help them develop self-sufficiency.  

And it promotes a low-waste lifestyle with its refillery, where you can bring your own containers to buy package-free cleaning and personal care products.

Read our Weekend of Good Singapore guide for more travel tips and ideas! 

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One cool space, many good things. Come for the great food, lovely homeware made by social enterprises, and a nail salon that empowers the disadvantaged.
A sustainable cafe with style
A sustainable cafe with style
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The Social Space's Kreta Ayer outlet is an easy walk from Chinatown MRT station on the North East Line, while the nearest station to the Marina One outlet is Downtown MRT station on the Downtown Line. 

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Bring your own containers/ bottles if you intend to purchase their beauty and cleaning products.

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The retail space carries products carefully-sourced from social enterprises from all over Asia, and is a great place to buy souvenirs that support regional makers. 

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The Marine One space regularly hosts pop-ups by sustainable and socially-conscious makers. Both outlets also host workshops and events that promote a healthy and eco-conscious lifestyle. Check out their website and social media feeds for the latest updates.

Asian fusion fare with a social mission

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CROSSINGS CAFE
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Serving up delicious and affordable comfort food – think chilli crab pasta – this social enterprise channels its profits to charitable and social causes. It also employs at-risk youth to give them the opportunity to gain work experience. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Part of the Catholic Centre, Crossings Cafe collaborates with a Catholic vocational institute to provide employment for vulnerable youths. When you dine at the cafe, you enable them to reach out to more people in need. 

Read our Weekend of Good Singapore guide for more travel tips

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Serving up delicious and affordable comfort food – think chilli crab pasta – this social enterprise channels its profits to charitable and social causes.
Asian fusion fare with a social mission
Asian fusion fare with a social mission
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Getting there
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Take the MRT train to Bencoolen station on the Downtown Line, and walk down Waterloo Street. 

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Waterloo Street and around is a fascinating blend of cultures reflecting Singapore melting pot heritage – find a church, a synagogue, a Hindu temple and a Taoist temple on the same street. Explore and enjoy! 

A dim sum cafe that empowers ex-offenders

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Delectable Cantonese dim sum right in the heart of Chinatown – that also lends a helping to those who need a second chance. Aside from dim sum, the restaurant also serves up local delights like fishhead curry and traditional desserts. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

The restaurant offers former drug offenders employment, allowing them to hone their skills to make a fresh start. It is an initiative by Breakthrough Missions, a Christian halfway house to reintegrate former drug abusers into community. Founded in 1983 in Singapore, the non-profit has grown to include six more centres in Canada, China, India, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Dining at the restaurant supports Breakthrough in their mission to help people recovering from substance abuse back onto their feet. 

Read our Weekend of Good Singapore guide for more travel tips and ideas!

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Delectable Cantonese dim sum right in the heart of Chinatown – that also lends a helping to those who need a second chance.
Breakthrough is a dim sum cafe that empowers ex-offenders. Photo by Lin Yanqin
A dim sum cafe that empowers ex-offenders
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The eatery is located within People's Park Centre, an easy walk from Chinatown MRT station along the North East Line. The restaurant is in the back of the building, away from the side facing the main road (Eu Tong Sen Street). 

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Dim sum is Cantonese-style small bites that are best eaten with company to enjoy a full spread. Time to start making friends on your travels! 

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The restaurant is popular with office workers working nearby, and busy during lunch hours. Arrive early to avoid waiting. Or consider having breakfast instead - traditional toast with kaya (coconut jam) and Nanyang-style coffee are on the menu too!