In a refreshingly honest look at what it takes for a (some might say naïve) venture like this to succeed, she and senior journalist Christy Yip document the challenges leading up to the cafe’s Jan 9 opening.
“It surprised me that the assistive tools, while helpful in theory, were not so useful in practice. In the end, it boiled down to team dynamics, patience and empathy,” Christy said.
Her takeaway: “Give the disabled a chance to prove themselves. Take making accommodations for them as part and parcel of any onboarding process.”
A different kind of helping hand is offered in our other featured story this week.
Producer Liew Zhixin’s family once gave shelter to a Malaysian worker who was one of many stranded in Singapore during the COVID-19 border closures.
So when she heard about the Open Home Network – a new initiative to support volunteers willing to open their homes to people-in-crisis – she was intrigued about those who took in a homeless stranger.
Like the big-hearted Clifford who sheltered Dev, 18, after he’d been kicked out by his stepdad.
Zhixin said: “I was struck by how powerful our collective potential can be when we look out for others among our community.”
Yvonne Lim
Deputy Chief Editor (CNA Insider)
