Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Skills
We equip single mothers, at-risk individuals, and Orang Asli children with the knowledge and skills to achieve financial independence and break free from poverty with dignity.
Our Impact
Many families remained trapped in cycles of poverty, dependent on continuous assistance. Since 2017, our Empowerment programme has equipped people with skills, education, and opportunities to generate their own income and build sustainable futures.
Figures from Annual Report 2025
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200+
Individuals reskilled as bakers and seamstresses
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26,993
Products created from handcrafted cookies to sewn items, generating RM72,000+ in income.
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200+
Orang Asli children educated achieved formal schooling for brighter future.
Pathways to Transformation
Medic & Welfare Support
During our street distributions, we discovered that homelessness stems from diverse circumstances—lost documents, family separation, unemployment, health issues, and more. That's why our support extends to comprehensive welfare assistance.
- 1. Health & Well-being
Medical assistance and health check-ups
Mental health assistance
Dental and optical care
Vaccination programmes
Drug rehabilitation referrals
Mobility support
- 2. Social Support & Reintegration
Family reunification
Return to hometown programmes
Job placement support
Shelter placement coordination
Identity card replacement
Welfare aid applications
- 3. Crisis & Essential Care
Disaster relief response
Bereavement services
Houseless
Skills Training for Urban Communities
Many of the women we worked with were confined to their homes, unable to take on traditional jobs due to responsibilities such as caring for young children or ill family members. We introduce sewing and baking to recipients of our food bank programme, which not only provided income but also instilled purpose and confidence.
Today, their products are sold at events, through corporate partnerships, and via our network, generating sustainable income for many participating families.
Products Created From Empowerment Programme:
- Sewing and Textile Products
- Upcycled Handcrafted Items
- Baked Goods
Orang Asli Education Programme
In 2024, our Orang Asli Education Programme continued to expand, with 100 children from the Batek tribe enrolled in classes. We provide these children with a strong educational foundation designed to lead them toward formal schooling.
Our "Knowledge of the World" classes, held twice weekly, introduce foundational literacy, numeracy, hygiene practices, and social skills. We hope this will help reduce Orang Asli dropout rates in the years ahead.
Programme highlights:
- 100 children receiving regular education in Kg. Atok and surrounding villages
- Twice-weekly "Knowledge of the World" classes
- New classroom and sanitation facilities built in 2024 (thanks to SC Johnson)
- Clean water access through installed water tanks with filters
- Health screenings in partnership with Kiwanis
- Year-long educational programmes completed in Kg. Sg. Temon and Kg. Atok
Annual School Mission Programme
Our annual School Mission reaches Orang Asli children in remote areas with essential school supplies. Many families struggle to afford these basics, forcing children to choose between education and survival.
By removing this barrier, we enable children to enrol and stay in school, breaking cycles of generational poverty and creating pathways to brighter futures.
School Supplies We Provide::
- Bags
- Stationery
- Shoes
- Uniforms
Empower Communities with Us
Donate Financially
Your financial contribution enables us to purchase essential dry provisions, maintain cold storage facilities, fuel delivery vehicles, and expand our reach to more families in need. Every donation directly translates into meals on tables and stability for vulnerable households.
Purchase Cookies
Every cookie you purchase supports single mothers and at-risk individuals learning new skills and earning dignified income through our Empowerment programme. Delicious treats baked with care, creating pathways out of poverty.
Bulk Purchase Cookies
Every cookie you purchase supports single mothers and at-risk individuals learning new skills and earning dignified income through our Empowerment programme. Delicious treats baked with care, creating pathways out of poverty.
We're the primary choice for companies looking to make a tangible impact on food insecurity in Malaysia.
"Agilent's partnership with Kechara Soup Kitchen has provided our employees with meaningful opportunities to positively impact the community. We are honored to support Kechara with volunteer efforts and donations, aiding their mission to serve marginalized communities, including the urban poor and Orang Asli. This collaboration has fostered a sense of engagement and fulfilment among our employees as they witness the tangible difference being made in the lives of those in need."
Agilent Technologies LDA (M) Sdn Bhd
"At AmBank, we are honoured to work alongside Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) in addressing food insecurity among vulnerable communities. Through our initiative involving our fellow AmBankers nationwide, we mobilised a Food Bank Drive to support the urban poor, rural and indigenous communities, complementing KSK's ongoing efforts on the ground. This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to uplifting communities and meeting their basic needs with care and dignity."
AmBank Group
"Biocon has been a proud partner of Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK) since 2023, working collaboratively to support underserved communities through meaningful and sustainable initiatives. Through this partnership, Biocon introduced the Meals on Wheels programme, aimed at reducing food insecurity by distributing surplus dry food collected from supermarkets, as well as providing freshly packed meals to homeless individuals. This partnership reflects Biocon's deep-rooted commitment to social responsibility and its core belief that every individual deserves access to basic healthcare, adequate nutrition, and dignity."
Biocon Sdn Bhd
"At Hong Leong Bank, Food Security and Community Welfare are core pillars of our community investment, brought to life through our partnership with Kechara Soup Kitchen (KSK). By supporting KSK, we address hunger through systematic food distribution and surplus recovery while empowering the vulnerable through holistic outreach that fosters long-term stability. Crucially, this partnership drives employee engagement; through volunteerism, our staff witnesses the dignity KSK extends to every individual, fostering a deeper sense of purpose and compassion within our own corporate culture."
Hong Leong Bank
"We are deeply inspired by the compassion and dedication that KSK shows in making a positive difference in the lives of those in need. This is why we are proud to support KSK’s operational expenses on a monthly basis and donate food regularly, so that we can play a small part in helping to improve the lives of those they serve. We look forward to continuing our partnership with KSK and being part of the incredible work they do."
Kumar's
"Matrix is committed to supporting initiatives that uplift communities and address real societal needs. Our Matrix Food Bank Drive programme reflects this commitment, as we work alongside Kechara Soup Kitchen to support vulnerable communities facing food insecurity. It brings our staff together beyond the workplace, fostering empathy, unity and a stronger connection to the world around us."
Matrix Concepts Holdings
"Community well-being is a key pillar of OSK Foundation, and we are committed to initiatives that create a direct and positive impact. In 2024, we strengthened our partnership with KSK by sponsoring two additional food distribution trucks, helping to expand their reach to more underserved communities. Food security remains a growing concern, and KSK continues to play a crucial role in providing essential meals to those in need. We are proud to support their efforts, and appreciate their dedication to serving vulnerable communities. Through this collaboration, we aim to enhance food accessibility and contribute to a stronger, more supportive society."
OSK Foundation
"Kechara Soup Kitchen's mission to uplift the underprivileged communities across Malaysia resonates deeply with Sunway's corporate responsibility commitment to leave no one behind. Since 2017, our partnership with Kechara to distribute food, essential supplies and emergency aid to the homeless and those affected by natural disasters has positively impacted tens of thousands of lives. We look forward to continuing this shared journey in building a society where no one goes hungry."
Sunway Group
Partnerships That Feed Communities
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Event 4 (Past, Ended)
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Kechara Soup Kitchen Empowerment Programme?
Our Empowerment programme promotes self-reliance and financial independence through two main initiatives: skills training (sewing and baking) for urban poor communities, and educational programmes for Orang Asli children. Since 2017, we've trained 200+ individuals in vocational skills and provided basic education to 200+ indigenous children.
- Who can participate in the skills training programme?
The programme serves single mothers, at-risk individuals, and food bank recipients who cannot work traditional jobs due to family responsibilities. Participants learn sewing or baking skills they can practise from home, generating income while caring for children or ill family members.
- How does the Orang Asli education programme work?
We provide "Knowledge of the World" classes twice weekly to 100+ children from the Batek tribe in Pahang. Classes cover foundational literacy, numeracy, hygiene, and social skills, preparing children for formal schooling. We also distribute school supplies through our annual School Mission campaign.
- How are funds used in the Empowerment programme?
Donations support school supplies for Orang Asli children, training materials for skills programmes, teacher salaries, classroom facilities and maintenance, clean water and sanitation infrastructure, health screening programmes, and long-term educational initiatives.
- What products do the skills training participants make?
Our baking programme produces various cookies and baked goods sold at events and through corporate partnerships. The sewing programme creates handcrafted items from donated materials. To date, 26,993 products have been made, generating RM72,000+ in income for participants.
