Social enterprises to run future run hawker centres?

A government-appointed hawker centre consultation panel has recommended social enterprises run hawker centres of the future, with aims of giving the disadvantaged jobs, and providing the community with affordable food.

Meanwhile, some social enterprises in the food industry have already taken the first step to offer jobs to the disadvantaged.

One of the social enterprises is Dignity Kitchen, where 33-year-old Norjumanese works.

Norjumanese, who is blind, said: "Dignity Kitchen has fulfilled some of my dreams. Besides being a cashier, I am able to sing and be an entertainer."

Norjumanese is one of 30 disadvantaged people working at Dignity Kitchen, a training school cum food centre operator.

Students there are trained in food stall operations, food preparation, kitchen safety and simple cooking.

Dignity Kitchen has even found jobs for some 50 of its former trainees in other food establishments.

Dignity Kitchen executive director Koh Seng Choon said he hopes to do more than just teach a skill.

He said: "What we try to do is not to just teach you a skill; what we want to do is to give you back your self-respect and dignity. That is harder to do."

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