‘Smile Fight Cafe’: Sign of the times for PWDs
Yimsoo Cafe offers jobs to the disabled, sign-language lessons and a mean cappuccino, writes Thantida Yostrakul
You never know when having a basic knowledge of sign language will come in handy. At one coffee shop in the capital, this comes free with your morning espresso.
At first glance, Yimsoo Cafe doesn’t look very different to other contemporary cafes in town. However patrons here aren’t just ordering a coffee or snack to kick-start their day — they are helping to provide jobs and training for people with disabilities (PWD).
Knowing the plight of this demographic in Bangkok, where people with visual, hearing or other physical impairments struggle to land jobs, ex-senator Wiriya Namsiripongpan launched the Universal Foundation for People with Disabilities, which operates the cafe.
“When people talk about professional training for people with disabilities, the jobs that come to mind are related to agriculture or handicraft-making,” said Mr Wiriya.
Not so at this little hideaway on Arun Amarin Soi 39 i n Bangkok Noi district, where the barista greets you with a smile and directs you to a sign on the counter saying: “I’m deaf but happy to help you. Please pick your choices from the menu. Thank you.”
The cafe’s name is a sandwiching of two Thai words. It literally translates as “Smile
Fight Cafe”, meaning to plough on in the face of adversity with a brave face and positive attitude.
Mr Wiriya, who became visually impaired at the age of 15, wanted to change the perception of how this often overlooked segment can be career-trained to support themselves and contribute to society, especially those living in fast-paced cities.
“Those who live in cities need a different type of career to make a living,” he said.
“Give them a chance to prove themselves. They need to be trained so they are no longer viewed as a ‘burden’ but a useful resource.”
As such, he decided to transform the ground floor of the foundation into a cafe last December. There, PWDs can learn useful skills for careers as chefs, baristas, waiting staff or managers while learning to be financially independent.
He said he hopes the cafe serves as a model business for others to follow in this age of corporate social responsibility. Moreover, as Thailand now ranks as an ageing society, any move to counteract the shrinking size of the working-age population is positive.
The cafe offers free classes each month teaching staff and their families how to make trendy beverages, coffees and dessert — including bingsu (Korean dessert) and waffles.
Realising the impact of social media, the cafe is decorated in a contemporary style to encourage people to take photos, write comments and share them online.
It pull sin a younger crowd from nearby Thammasat University with its free Wifi, affordable food and drinks, and quiet and relaxing atmosphere. Soon it will have a new menu featuring pictures teaching customers how to order using sign language.
Staff include three hearing-impaired baristas and two physically challenged kitchen hands. Each is taught how to handle all facets of the front end of the business.
Mr Wiriya said he hopes they will eventually be able to run the cafe themselves with no outside help.
Arrilak Yolai, 27, and Suchira Chaisriyong, 26, are both baristas there. Born deaf, they met at Sodsuksa Mukdahan School and became firm friends. They live in Din
Training is needed to change them from being a ‘burden’ into a useful resource. WIRIYA NAMSIRIPONGPAN FORMER SENATOR
Daeng district and ride a motorbike to work every day.
Ms Arrilak used to work as a hotel maid but found the physical work exhausting. Ms Suchira harboured dreams of becoming a barista but had never been accepted for a job on the grounds of her disability.
This changed last year when they accepted positions at Yimsoo Cafe and learned about different coffee beans, brewing equipment and shop management.
Showing their facility with their new roles, the pair had to frequently interrupt an interview with the Bangkok Post to take orders and serve customers.
Problems were apparent but surmountable: They struggled to catch the full order and some customers couldn’t read the menu. When things got sticky, a third employee — an amputee — was called in from the kitchen to translate.
Despite occasionally awkward situations, it was clear the staff relished their work and engagement with the community. Both ladies said they want to own and run their own coffee shops in the future.
Sornraniee Marneesuyanont, 27, a signlanguage interpreter, learned how to communicate with the hearing impaired from her deaf sister. She now owns a bachelor’s degree in this field.
Having spent her whole life among PWDs, she said society often underestimates their talents and potential. Due to a lack of opportunities, many feel isolated and trudge through life as “outsiders”, she said, never integrating with society.
“We should focus more on how to improve their career opportunities instead of pitying them,” she said.
Mr Wiriya echoed similar sentiments. He said they just want people to have faith in them — and most are more than willing to work hard to prove themselves, he added.
Yimsoo cafe is located on Arun Amarin Soi 39. It opens daily from 7am to 6pm. For information contact the cafe directly by calling 02 055 1901.