PAMELA CHNG

The challenge

With Singapore being a modern and developed first world nation, there is a growing pool of marginalised women that lack the support network they require to become fully functional members of society.

Single mothers and ex-offenders who make the majority of this demographic are unable to maximise their potential in the workforce due to a range of reasons, spanning from the lack of childcare support to the social stigma of having a criminal background. With a better support network, this group of marginalised women will be well-equipped to be holistically reintegrated into society.

The vision

The Bettr Barista Coffee Academy is a social enterprise centred on arming disadvantaged and underprivileged women with the skills and tools to improve their lives.

Founded in November 2011, Bettr Barista aims to help disadvantaged women via a three-pronged 12-week holistic programme that combines world-class barista training with emotional and physical skills training, all the while being self-sustaining. At the end of its programme, Bettr Barista helps its students to gain permanent employment within the Bettr Group, its partner organisations or even an opportunity to run their own start-up.

By enabling these women with the right opportunities and resources, Bettr Barista is creating an empowering ecosystem to support their growth and aspirations, reinforcing their trust that they can become better versions of themselves.

Website: www.bettrbarista.com/