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A beloved independent bookstore in Penang

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Gerakbudaya
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This independent bookshop boasts an excellent selection of titles by Southeast Asian authors, including books about Penang, current affairs and politics. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Gerakbudaya supports authors whose works are not often found in mainstream bookstores, and takes part in cultural festivals to promote the literary arts.

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

Gerakbudaya supports authors whose works are not often found in mainstream bookstores, and takes part in cultural festivals to promote the literary arts.

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

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This independent bookshop boasts an excellent selection of titles by Southeast Asian authors, including books about Penang, current affairs and politics.
Gerakbudaya
A beloved independent bookstore in Penang
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The Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling branch focuses on fiction and poetry, while the Lebuh Pantai branch focuses on non-fiction. Both branches are easily found by bicycle, car or on foot. The major transport hubs of the Jetty and Komtar are also nearby.

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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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Don’t miss special events like author signings, readings and discussions; check out their website for the latest happenings.

Support dignity with your delicious meal

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Echoes
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THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Echoes hires its staff through local non-governmental organisations. When you dine at Echoes, you help sustain the enterprise, which in turns empowers and encourages its staff, who have trouble finding jobs because of the discrimination against people with disabilities. 

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

Warm and earthy in vibe, Echoes hires people with speech and hearing disabilities to provide them with dignified livelihoods, and promote greater inclusion and understanding of people living with disabilities. Eat well and do good. 

Echoes hires its staff through local non-governmental organisations. When you dine at Echoes, you help sustain the enterprise, which in turns empowers and encourages its staff, who have trouble finding jobs because of the discrimination against people with disabilities. 

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

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Warm and earthy in vibe, Echoes hires people with speech and hearing disabilities, to provide them with dignified livelihoods. Eat well and do good.
Echoes
Support dignity with your delicious meal
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There are no nearby metro stations, but plenty of bus connections, so consider taking a bus or taxi. 

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The tables at Echoes have cue cards and patrons order by writing down the number assigned to each dish. Every table has a lamp to be flicked to catch the attention of servers, who rely on visual cues. 

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Spoilt for choice? Go for the Classic Butter Chicken Thali, the Tandoori Momos, and Ferrero Rocher Shake. Delectable!

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Echoes also has an outlet in New Delhi, so check it out if you are there. 

Wander through Bangalore's most bustling market

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Krishna Rajendra Market
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THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Visiting the market is a glimpse into how small businesses in Bangalore make a living, and any purchase you make improves the income of the vendor.

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

Renowned for its huge flower market, KR Market is a visual treat for those who enjoy observing a city’s underbelly. It sits on a site that was once the battleground for the Anglo-Mysore wars, and now occupies several floors selling anything from produce to dried goods to electronics.  

Visiting the market is a glimpse into how small businesses in Bangalore make a living, and any purchase you make improves the income of the vendor.

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

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Renowned for its huge flower market, KR Market is a visual treat for those who enjoy observing a city’s underbelly.
Wander through Bangalore's most bustling market
Wander through Bangalore's most bustling market
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Avoid driving and take the local metro. Alight at Chickpet, and walk to the market on foot.

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To experience the market awakening, it’s best to go in the early part of the morning. Bring your camera - you’ll be in for a visual treat with the colourful flower market.

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Don't be afraid to get immersed in the hustle-bustle, and make sure you wear comfortable attire and shoes.

Go back to nature at this restaurant-boutique

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Go Native
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Go Native is a haven for all things local, sustainable and healthy. Shop for eco-conscious products or enjoy local dishes made from pesticide-free produce. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

You support local farms that practice environmentally-friendly, non-GMO and pesticide-free farming and fair trade. This helps keep the carbon footprint low. 

Go Native only works with organisations that ensure farmers and artisans are paid fair wages. Your purchase strengthens this practice.

Redesigned from an old residential building, Go Native has upcycled as much of the old house as possible. They use solar back-up power, harvest the rain, reduce plastic and compost kitchen waste. Giving them your business means helping preserve the environment. 

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

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Go Native is a haven for all things local, sustainable and healthy. Shop for eco-conscious products or enjoy local dishes made from pesticide-free produce.
Go back to nature at this restaurant-boutique
Go back to nature at this restaurant-boutique
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Go Native is accessibly by public transport; the nearest metro station is Rashtreeya Vidyalaya Road. 

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Go Native has an extensive collection of environmentally-conscious products from over 50 local organisations. Plenty for you to choose from!

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If you enjoy the outdoors, ask for the seats on the upper floor that open out onto the balcony. Enjoy your meal under a canopy of trees, while enjoying a book or chatting with friends.

A communal dinner in a modern kampung

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About the host

Mummy Soh is a retired-teacher-turned-entrepreneur who is more than happy to share her delightful culinary skills and recipes with guests.

Mummy Soh
One Kind House
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Wifi

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Wheelchair-accessible

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Rekindle community spirit with Mummy Soh, a retired teacher in her home. Learn her best recipes, and connect with your fellow diners.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Preserve a slice of Singapore’s culinary culture and experience communal living. To give back to the community, the Soh family conducts cooking classes for children of single parents and other activities for those with mental disabilities.

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

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Rekindle community spirit with a retired teacher in her home. Learn her best recipes, and connect with your fellow diners.
A communal dinner in a modern kampung
A communal dinner in a modern kampung
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Getting there
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One Kind House is a 10-minute walk along the Siglap Park Connector from Kembangan MRT station on the East West Line. 

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Bookings are made through Airbnb. Find the link on their Facebook page. 

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Joo Chiat is a historic district in the east of Singapore steeped in Peranakan (Straits Chinese charm). Consider spending an afternoon there taking in the quaint shophouses with elaborate facades, the shops selling traditional spices and desserts, and the eclectic blend of Malay and Chinese culture. 

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Dress light and comfortable -- you’d be picking, chopping and grinding herbs!

Eat well at this plant-based cafe

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Just Be
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Wifi 

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Good for kids

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Healthy and cruelty-free food need not be dull – ask JustBe. This vegan restaurant will win you over with great food and fun wellness workshops.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Dining at JustBe doesn’t just provide you with a delicious experience, but you also help in preserving the environment. The kitchen waste goes into composting and the cafe chooses eco-friendly bagasse (sugar cane pulp) packaging. The food is kind to your body, and kind to the environment too. 

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

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Healthy and cruelty-free food need not be dull – ask JustBe. This vegan restaurant will win you over with great food and fun wellness workshops.
Healthy and cruelty-free food need not be dull – ask JustBe. This vegan restaurant will win you over with great food and fun wellness workshops.
Eat well at this plant-based cafe
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Located on Sadashivnagar's main road, the cafe is easy to spot. Taxis or buses are best as it is not near a metro station.

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The beetroot-based Pink Falafel Sandwich and the Pink Papaya Smoothie make for a refreshing lunch, while the millet and whole wheat pizzas are highly recommended. 

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Check out their upcoming events on the website before visiting, in case you feel like attending a cooking, organic soap-making or other mindfulness workshops!

Authentic tours of Mumbai that give back

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About the host

Founded in August 2005 by Chris Way and Krishna Pujari, Reality Tours & Travel wants to use walking tours of Dharavi to raise awareness about life in the slums, while raising funds for the community.

Chris Way and Krishna Pujari
Reality Tours & Travel
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Specialising in authentic street tours, RTT is best known for their tour of the Dharavi slum. Part of its profits go to projects that help the community.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Eighty per cent of the profits earned from the tours are channeled back into the community, to provide education and secure a better future for the children and their families.

The social enterprise also hires guides from the local communities they hold tours in, to empower them with the platform to share their perspective, as well as earn a sustainable livelihood. 

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Mumbai for more travel tips.

Meet Jitu, a RTT guide and learn about his dreams for Dharavi. 

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Specialising in authentic street tours, RTT is best known for their tour of the Dharavi slum. Part of its profits go to projects that help the community.
Reality Tours & Travel
Authentic tours of Mumbai that give back
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RTT's Dharavi tours either start at Churchgate Station or Mahim Station, depending on the time of the day. Be sure to confirm when booking, before making your way. 

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Be prepared for walking - comfortable clothes and shoes, and a positive attitude!

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Dharavi is one of the largest slums in the world, and one of the most densely-populated. Come with an open-mind and willing to understand and learn about the honest truth about living in a slum. If authentic and outdoor experiences make you uncomfortable, this may not be the right fit for you. 

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To respect the privacy and dignity of the residents, RTT has a strict “no photography” policy for its Dharavi tour.

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If Dharavi tours isn’t your cup of tea, try their street food tours and taste delectable delights and tingle your taste buds. All the guides are Mumbai natives who know the city like the back of their hand.

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Be sure to book in advance to ensure a spot.

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While Dharavi faces harsh reality, it also is a hidden gem when it comes to craftsmanship. You’ll get to see the home-based factories, artisans and their skills, and also be inspired to see households of all religions living together amicably.

Sate your hunger – and learn sign language

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About the host

Prashant and his co-founder are first-generation entrepreneur-investors who believe in promoting entrepreneurship, and took upon themselves to provide gainful, sustainable and respectful employment to 500 people with speech and hearing disabilities, through a chain of restaurants across India and beyond.

Prashant
Mirchi & Mime 
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Chic and contemporary, Mirchi & Mime employs people with hearing and speech disabilities in order to provide them with skills and a dignified livelihood, and encourage greater understanding of people living with disabilities. Learn sign language to order, and taste exquisite Indian cuisine.

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Through working at Mirchi & Mime, its staff have not only found a sustained livelihood, they've also found a community that cares. When you dine at the restaurant, you help support those that previously found it hard to find work, and help them build a better future.

Read our Weekend of Good in Mumbai guide for more travel tips.

Meet Prashant, co-founder of Mirchi & Mime and find out how it all began. 

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Chic and contemporary, Mirchi & Mime employs people with hearing and speech disabilities. Learn sign language to order, and taste exquisite Indian cuisine.
Sate your hunger – and learn sign language
Sate your hunger – and learn sign language
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Accessible by both public and private transport, this beautiful enterprise is located near the Pawai Lake, and surrounded by gardens.

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Come with an open mind to learn sign language. Learning takes time, so be patient with yourself and the staff. 

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Want more options? A second branch, Madeira & Mime, offers the gastro-pub treatment with a western-influenced menu.

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Have a large group of people? Try their fixed menu that can serve an entire table! Pick from their non-vegetarian, vegetarian or vegan menu. You’ll be spoilt for choice!

A boutique hotel with heritage and heart

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Abode Boutique Hotels
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Wifi

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Filled with vintage charm, Abode Bombay is built on a heritage property from 1910. Fall in love with its lovely decor, and its heart for giving back. 

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

Small touches make the hotel stand out in a big way. The hotel’s car service is run mostly by women that are single mothers, and Abode helps them own their cars if possible, to enhance their financial independence. The cafe uses locally-grown ingredients wherever possible, while plus the rooms are design to use energy efficiently, such as the cement and tile floors that absorb heat in the day. It also works with a school for the blind to employ its students as massage therapists, helping them develop livelihoods.

When you stay at Abode, you support its initiatives to lift communities. 

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

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Filled with vintage charm, Abode Bombay is built on a heritage property from 1910. Fall in love with its lovely decor, and its heart for giving back.
A boutique hotel with heritage and heart
A boutique hotel with heritage and heart
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Getting there
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Abode is situated right in the heart of Colaba, a district well-trod by tourists and people on business. Nearby landmarks include the famous Gateway of India or Taj Palace Hotel (both a five-minute walk away). 

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A taxi ride from the airport costs about 800 rupees (US$11.50) and can take as long as 90 minutes depending on traffic. Abode also offers a pick-up service. If you arrive in Mumbai by train, Abode is a five-minute taxi ride from both the beautiful Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (better known as Victoria Terminus) and Churchgate station. 

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Relax in the beautiful lobby and library area, which is also lovely if you need to do some last minute work. 

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Feel like working out? Let the staff know and they can arrange for a running group, pilates or even meditation and yoga if you’d prefer.

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You can shop at the hotel itself for indigenous crafts created by artisans who benefit from the income.

A good foot massage, for good

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Mettaa Reflexology
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 Good for kids

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This no-frills spa employs the blind, empowering them with sustainable livelihoods, while giving you a foot massage you'll dream about

THE DIFFERENCE YOU MAKE

You support the efforts of employment and dignity to the visually impaired, and help them build a sustainable future.

Read our Weekend of Good guide to Mumbai for more travel tips.

Meet Joanita, founder of Mettaa Reflexology, and find out how her staff inspire her. 

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This no-frills spa employs the blind, empowering them with sustainable livelihoods, while giving you a foot massage you'll dream about
This no-frills spa employs the blind, empowering them with sustainable livelihoods, while giving you a foot massage you'll dream about
A good foot massage, for good
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Getting there
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The centre is accessible by bus, in the district of Bandra. Take a taxi if you are unsure of the directions.

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The reflexology services are more slightly expensive on the weekends by about 50 to 100 rupees (US$0.70 to US$1.40). If you’re looking to save, then go on the weekdays!

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Mettaa was set up to offer a simple, no-fuss spa experience, as well as provide employment to blind massage therapists who were being refused jobs despite their qualifications. Expect a great reflexology experience in a simple setting. 

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Call ahead to confirm availability.