The world of Tzu Chi September 2024 (Vol.151)

2024 • 09 08 Unveiling new horizons By Yi-Qin & Liew Jing Yin “The things that I learned from school have been the cornerstone for rebuilding my confidence when it wavers… I hope to have my own kitchen or café.” — Irfana B efore the first rays of dawn cast their light upon the quiet streets, a shop was already aglow. Inside, a young lady, dressed in black and wearing a headscarf, was hard at work. Her petite frame, barely five feet tall, appeared even smaller in front of the stove. She is Irfana, a 21-year-old chef at PichaEats. Besides cooking, she also manages the team, ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly and that food is delivered to customers on time. This is a future she never imagined 12 years ago when she fled Myanmar with her family to Malaysia. In her first few years in Malaysia, Irfana’s world was confined to a small apartment. As a refugee, she lacked access to formal education. Fortunately, her father, Mohamad Eisa, saw value in education. When she was around 13 years old, he found the Tzu-Chi Harmony ALC in Selayang for her. “Back then, our family lived in Petaling Jaya, and their mother took them to and from school by bus every day. We hoped to brighten our children’s future.” Eisa emphasised “every day”, his eyes reflecting both grit and pride. In the unfamiliar classroom, Irfana started with the basics of the English alphabet, and gradually integrated with her classmates from similar backgrounds. Like a beam of light, her parents’ persistence and her own diligence guided her through the constraints of reality to discover new possibilities. By the time she graduated from the ALC in 2019, she had not only mastered basic mathematics but was also conversant in both Malay and English. With the unwavering support of her father and financial assistance from Tzu Chi, Irfana continued her education at the Dignity for Children Foundation. “At that point, I had the opportunity to choose between two paths. I opted for ASET (Applied Secondary Employability Track) and chose the course of F&B,” Irfana shared. Fuelled by her deep passion for cooking, she overcame challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and successfully completed her vocational training. Subsequently, she secured an internship with PichaEats, a social enterprise that empowers refugees to earn income as food entrepreneurs. As consumers savour the dishes they prepare, these refugee families gain sustenance and stability. Khoo Yi Ting, the production team lead at PichaEats, witnessed Irfana’s transformation from an intern to a full-fledged chef. She commended her resilience, “During her internship phase, Irfana wasn’t as confident as she is now. She broke down a few times, but she would always get up and say, ‘Okay, I will do it again.’” A heart full of gratitude Adversity is not to be feared; what is truly daunting is losing the courage and motivation to rise again. Irfana candidly admitted that education has been the cornerstone of rebuilding her confidence. “Especially for females, without education or knowledge,