Silent Teddies Bakery and Allianz4Good unite for community impact

Silent Teddies Bakery, a social enterprise empowering individuals with hearing impairments, recently hosted Allianz4Good’s Volunteering Day. The event brought together a dedicated team of volunteers who spent the day engaging in various tasks, from baking to gardening, and learning skills that impact both their personal and professional lives. Silent Teddies offers unique support to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community through employment opportunities, skills training, and a safe learning environment.

“This program makes me discover additional places of impact,” shared Fatihah Shafie, an Allianz4Good volunteer. “What you are doing here is very impactful in terms of giving back to society and introducing us to people with disabilities. The impact Silent Teddies has is inspiring – from bakery to café and even an edible garden. I feel very good about the impact they’re teaching us here,” she added.

Throughout the day, Allianz4Good volunteers not only learned the basics of baking but also received an introduction to sign language, enriching their understanding of the Deaf community. The program allowed participants to gain valuable skills and insights into the Deaf community’s contributions, leaving them with a deeper appreciation for inclusive work environments.

Revitalizing CSCD for future generations

Silent Teddies Bakery began as a vocational training program initiated by The Community Service for the Deaf (CSCD) and officially became a social enterprise in 2017. With numerous accolades, including the MaGIC Amplify Award in 2016, the bakery’s proceeds support CSCD programs and enable its growth into a café and community garden, fostering social entrepreneurship among Deaf youths.

Located beside Silent Teddies, the Community Service Centre for the Deaf (CSCD) has long served Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals by providing education and training. However, the building now requires critical repairs to continue its mission. The CSCD Revitalization Project aims to restore this center, preserving it as a safe learning environment.

This restoration also pays tribute to the late Mr. Tan Yap, who introduced Sign Language to Malaysia in 1964. Yap’s legacy lives on through Silent Teddies, which remains committed to advancing his mission of inclusion and empowerment for the Deaf community.

Through such initiatives, Silent Teddies and Allianz4Good are actively contributing to a future where individuals of all abilities have the opportunity to thrive.