DOWN SYNDROME TEENAGERS’ LABOUR OF LOVE SHINES IN SENYUMM RAYA COOKIES

By Suraidah Roslan

KUALA LUMPUR, March 18  (Bernama) -- At first glance, SenYumm biscuits may seem no different from other Aidilfitri treats, but behind their satisfying crunch lies a labour of love and remarkable patience, with each batch carefully crafted by teenagers with Down syndrome.

The special project by the Seribu Wajah Sindrom Down Centre provides young people with Down syndrome the opportunity to develop culinary skills, allowing them to craft traditional festive treats such as Raya biscuits and bubur lambuk.

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Seribu Wajah Sindrom Down Centre founder Nurdiyana Mohd Jonis, 51, said “SenYumm” was inspired by the words ‘sen’ (money) and ‘yummy’ (delicious), reflecting the teenagers’ inspiring journey of creating handmade treats that help them earn a living.

She admitted that training children with Down syndrome to complete tasks independently was challenging, noting that their cognitive abilities usually develop more slowly than their chronological age.”

“The children are thrilled to meet others from their community and to work together making Raya cookies and bubur lambuk during Ramadan,” she told Bernama.

Nurdiyana said that, to date, the centre had received orders for 200 packets of Raya biscuits, including 100 packets specially requested by an individual to be distributed as infaq at the mosque.

She said that the children were taking part in these activities for the first time this year, as the centre in Seri Kembangan had only been set up last year.

According to Nurdiyana, the children at the centre were introduced to basic skills, including preparing vegetables and other ingredients, with lessons conducted in stages by experienced instructors who worked flexible hours to ensure both the quality of training and the children’s emotional well-being.

“Some children had never handled carrots before, but they are now being exposed to practical kitchen experience.

“We tailor the lessons to their abilities, and limit the working period to three hours, as they can become a bit lethargic when tired, though they never lose control.

“For instance, we spent the first day teaching them how to crack eggs properly until they mastered it. We need to understand what they’re capable of and what they still need help with,” she told Bernama.

Nurdiyana said that, apart from teaching cooking skills, the centre also emphasised the spiritual aspect, as the majority of the participants were learning to fast for the first time this year.

She said that among the 10 participants, only two had previously completed a full day of fasting, with the others learning to fast for the first time this year and therefore needing adequate rest.

Looking ahead, Nurdiyana said that the centre was preparing to open the Seribu Wajah café next month in Seri Kembangan, which would be run entirely by teenagers with Down syndrome aged 19 or older. 

She said that even though the café would be operated by teenagers with Down syndrome, teaching staff would closely monitor their activities to ensure safety, particularly in the kitchen.

Meanwhile, one of the trainees, Hani Nur Alya Anuar, 18, described the experience of making Raya cookies and cooking bubur lambuk as enjoyable, saying it was especially fun because she was doing it with friends.

“I enjoy fasting with my family and friends with Down syndrome while taking part in these activities, and I hope everyone will support the ‘SenYumm’ biscuit project,” she said.

-- BERNAMA