By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, June 5: Starbucks Malaysia has successfully raised over RM105,842 from 2018 to 2024 through the sale of its beloved Jumbo Chocolate Chip Cookies, specially handcrafted by Silent Teddies Bakery, a social enterprise supported by the Community Service Centre for the Deaf (CSCD).
According to a media release today, proceeds from cookie sales have been channelled into the revitalisation of CSCD’s building, breathing new life into the facility in Kuala Lumpur that had long been in a state of serious disrepair.
For years, more than 50 per cent of the centre was deemed unsafe due to collapsed ceilings, broken asbestos roofing, water leakage, and hazardous electrical systems—posing significant risks for both students and staff.
Thanks to the generosity of Starbucks customers and the Malaysian public, CSCD is now undergoing a major transformation. The upgraded space will feature a modern learning centre, café, and event space, all designed to empower Deaf youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs) through education, vocational training, and hands-on entrepreneurial experience.
In addition to financial contributions, Starbucks Malaysia donated 72 chairs, 41 tables, and a prep station last year, supported by 28 volunteers who contributed 84 community service hours, helping create a more welcoming and functional environment for learning and engagement.
The new building will also integrate sustainable features, including solar panels, rainwater harvesting, passive cooling, natural lighting, and an edible garden—setting a new benchmark for eco-conscious, inclusive community spaces in Malaysia.
The collaboration between Starbucks Malaysia and Silent Teddies began in August 2018, rooted in a shared mission to create opportunities for the Deaf community. What started as a small initiative quickly grew into a meaningful, long-term partnership grounded in empowerment through education, employment, and social enterprise.
Starbucks began offering Silent Teddies cookies in its stores nationwide, pledging to contribute RM1 from every cookie sold. These cookies became more than just a treat—they symbolised progress toward sustainable funding for Deaf education and training, while raising public awareness about inclusivity.
This collaboration also inspired the launch of the world’s first Starbucks Signing Store in Bangsar Village II in 2016, operated entirely by Deaf partners. Since then, the initiative has expanded to four Signing Stores nationwide, each standing as a powerful symbol of representation, empowerment, and equality.
These achievements were made possible through the support of CSCD and the dedication of its alumni—many of whom went on to become pioneering Starbucks partners and role models in the Deaf community.
At the heart of this movement are Silent Teddies Bakery founder Cindy Leong and CSCD principal Rose Ng, whose unwavering commitment has opened doors for countless Deaf Malaysians. Together with Starbucks Malaysia, they have built more than a partnership—they have sparked a movement for inclusive social change.
As Starbucks Malaysia looks to the future, its commitment remains strong: to uplift communities through purposeful partnerships that go beyond the counter. With every cookie sold, every sign shared, and every life empowered, Starbucks and CSCD continue to shape a more inclusive, compassionate Malaysia.
