Kechara Soup Kitchen

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty Through Skills

We equip single parents, at-risk individuals, and Orang Asli children with the knowledge and skills to achieve financial independence and break free from poverty with dignity.

Pathways to Independence

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 2024

  • Cookie tubs baked

    7,7473

    Cookie tubs baked

  • Bakers

    34

    Bakers

  • Orang Asli students benefited

    174

    Orang Asli students benefited

Skills Training & Education

Pathways to Transformation

Beneficiaries getting housed in shelter by KSK

Social Welfare Assistance

During our activities, we discovered that homelessness or poverty stems from diverse circumstances such as lost documents, family separation, unemployment, health issues, and more. That is why our support extends to comprehensive welfare assistance.

  • 1. Health & Well-being
    Medical assistance and health check-ups
    Medical assistance and health check-ups
    Mental health assistance
    Mental health assistance
    Dental and optical care
    Dental and optical care
    Vaccination programmes
    Vaccination programmes
    Drug rehabilitation referrals
    Drug rehabilitation referrals
    Mobility support
    Mobility support
  • 2. Social Support & Reintegration
    Family reunification
    Family reunification
    Return to hometown programmes
    Return to hometown programmes
    Job placement support
    Job placement support
    Shelter placement coordination
    Shelter placement coordination
    Identity card replacement
    Identity card replacement
    Welfare aid applications
    Welfare aid applications
  • 3. Crisis & Essential Care
    Disaster relief response
    Disaster relief response
    Bereavement services
    Bereavement services
    Houseless
    Houseless

Skills Training for Urban Communities

Many of the single parents 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 introduced sewing and baking to recipients of our Food Bank programme, which not only provided income but also instilled a sense of purpose and confidence.

Today, their products are promoted 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 2023, 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)
  • Year-long educational programmes completed in Kampung Atok
Ways to Give

Empower Communities with Us

Individual
Corporate
Cookies made by empowerment programme participants

Support Our Cookies

Every cookie you support, supports single parents 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.

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.

Orang Asli passing food package from a boat to a family on the riverbank

Make a Donation

A KSK beneficiary family receiving food packs

Feed a Family

A Runner representing KSK as pacer participating in the KL Marathon for Charity

Run For a Reason

Cookies made by empowerment programme participants

Cookies on Consignment

Get our cookies on consignment at your offices, F&B outlets, or businesses. Your support will provide constant opportunities for skill learning and dignified income for single parents and at-risk individuals.

Corporate gifting booth showcasing empowerment programme products

KSK at your events

KSK is open to showcasing our efforts and cookie tubs at your internal or external events, instilling the 'Act of Giving' among your staff whilst KSK shares our good work at the booth.

Our Partners

We're the primary choice for companies looking to make a tangible impact on food insecurity in Malaysia.

Agilent Technologies LDA (M) Sdn Bhd logo
"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

AmBank Group logo
"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

Hong Leong Bank logo
"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

Kumar's logo
"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 Concepts Holdings logo
"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

OSK Foundation logo
"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

Sunway Group logo
"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

Your Questions Answered

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How does KSK's Empowerment programme work?

    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 parents, 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.

  • What items and cookie tubs does the Empowerment programme make?

    Our baking programme promotes various cookies and baked goods 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.

Other Ways We Help

Explore Other Pillars

Food Bank
Food Bank icon

Sustained Support

Food Bank

We distribute essential groceries to low-income families through a structured community network.

Soup Kitchen
Soup Kitchen icon

Immediate Relief

Soup Kitchen

We serve warm meals and humane care to urban poor communities and rough sleepers.

RM25 received

Someone sponsored a warm meal

RM50 received

Someone provided 10 hot meals

RM100 received

Someone delivered a week's groceries

RM250 received

Someone donated supplies for 5 families

RM500 received

Someone redistributed 200kg of surplus food

RM1,000 received

Someone funded complete family support