On September 30, 2022, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun (YIIM) once again partnered with Titan Baking to organize a hands-on culinary demonstration workshop focused on dim sum and cheese sticks. The driving spirit of this initiative is to inspire community self-reliance and economic recovery during the post-pandemic era through social entrepreneurship.

The workshop took place at the professional kitchen of Titan Baking Fatmawati on Jalan RS. Fatmawati Raya No. 51B, West Cilandak, Cilandak District, South Jakarta. Similar successful culinary collaborations between YIIM and Titan Baking were previously held in 2019 and 2020, benefiting 39 participants who now run thriving home enterprises producing traditional cakes, cookies, and savory snacks throughout Jakarta and neighboring areas. Several outstanding alumni have even become certified culinary instructors, such as Mrs. Wanmayetty.

This initiative received the full backing of PT Insight Investments Management (INSIGHT), an investment management firm with a deep commitment to social and humanitarian impact across Indonesia. The program directly supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Beneficiary Background:

The program beneficiaries comprised economically underprivileged individuals, people with disabilities, and correctional clients.

A total of 23 participants took part (18 women and 5 men), including 11 persons with disabilities (among them deaf individuals), 3 clients from the Corrections Center (Bapas) or former correctional inmates, and 9 participants from low-income socioeconomic backgrounds.

The class commenced with welcoming remarks from Mrs. Dewi Astari, Secretary of the Board of YIIM, who emphasized: "This culinary entrepreneurship training is a concrete manifestation of economic empowerment for underserved populations. Our friends with disabilities and Bapas clients possess equal rights and opportunities to acquire marketable cooking skills that can be channeled into sustainable MSME ventures. Supported by PT Insight Investments Management, YIIM has helped launch numerous food entrepreneurs, and we hope today’s training produces the next wave of inspiring success stories. Our profound gratitude also goes to Titan Baking for their renewed collaboration in uplifting communities."

Training Curriculum and Practice:

The cooking demonstration commenced at 10:00 AM WIB under the guidance of Chef Dhimas Suryo. The chef demonstrated complete dim sum making techniques, from kneading wrapper skins to preparing flavorful, cost-effective fillings. Participants were then guided through the preparation of crispy cheese stick snacks.

Throughout the session, participants engaged enthusiastically, asking insightful questions. Siti Hodijah, a deaf participant, actively inquired about preserving the durability and texture of dim sum wrappers during storage. Her active engagement demonstrated that physical barriers do not diminish the thirst for vocational learning. To reward the participants’ active engagement, the committee provided goodie bags containing dim sum and cheese stick ingredients for home practice.

YIIM and INSIGHT remain dedicated to mentoring and transforming marginalized groups and persons with disabilities into competitive, productive members of society leveraging local resources. As a non-profit foundation, Yayasan Inspirasi Indonesia Membangun is open to partnering with all entities wishing to contribute, ensuring that every gift directly empowers worthy beneficiaries.

Salam Inspirasi!