| Ishan Ibrahim |
THE Society for the Management of Autism Related issues in Training, Education and Resources (SMARTER) Brunei’s Bistro and Café was officially opened yesterday at the SMARTER Brunei Autism Centre for Adults (BACA) centre in Kampong Sungai Hanching.
Officiating the opening ceremony was guest of honour Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.
Others present at the event included member of the Legislative Council Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Pendikar Alam Dato Paduka Seri Haji Hasrin bin Dato Paduka Haji Sabtu; SMARTER Brunei President Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman; Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports (MCYS) Datin Paduka Dr Hajjah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil; Legal Manager and Personal Representative of Brunei LNG Sdn Bhd Haji Mohd Husini bin Haji Abu Bakar; ambassadors and representative officers of ASEAN member countries; as well as officers and staff from different ministries.
Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Malai Haji Abdullah and Haji Mohd Husini participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially launch the bistro.
They also signed a commemorative plaque to mark the opening of the bistro.
In his welcoming remarks, Malai Haji Abdullah said the launch of the bistro was made to commemorate International Day of Persons With Disabilities, and to support the causes of the MCYS’ ‘Day of Action’ initiative and the US-initiated Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI) YOUnified programme, an annual community service campaign held on December 3 to commemorate YSEALI’s anniversary and celebrate the power and potential of YSEALI members.
“The launch of the bistro and café is also made alongside the launch of the SMARTER Brunei Employment Programme,” he said.
“Some 35 autistic students between 12 and 34 years of age are educated at the SMARTER BACA Centre in Kampong Sungai Hanching, where they are grouped into different categories of employability according to their abilities.
“The bistro and café is part of the employment programme that they are participating in. Here the participants will prepare coffee and menu items for sale, helping to bring in income and in the upkeep of BACA.”
Malai Haji Abdullah added that the programme is part of SMARTER Brunei’s efforts to support social entrepreneurship, to ensure that “every individual with autism (IWA) has a job and no one is left behind”.
Six brands of coffee products from six ASEAN member countries were presented at the newly opened bistro and café, with guests being served the beverages by the programme participants.