The Picha Project Open House
The Picha Project: Refugee Kitchens Connecting Communities
Factbox
Location
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Grant Period
Oct 2017 - Sep 2018
Grant Amount
MYR 51,480
Beneficiaries
10 Families
Focus Area
Overview
The Picha Project Open House brings people together through food by inviting diners to share home-cooked meals prepared by refugee families in Kuala Lumpur. The initiative creates income opportunities for refugees while encouraging cultural exchange and deeper understanding between displaced communities and the Malaysian public.
Impact At A Glance
- Income opportunities created for refugee families from Myanmar, Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan living in Kuala Lumpur
- Cultural exchange programmes that connect Malaysian diners with refugee communities
- Expansion of the Open House programme to engage 10 additional refugee families
- Public awareness raised about the realities of refugee life in Malaysia
The Challenge
Refugees in Malaysia often struggle to earn a living or access social support despite fleeing conflict and persecution.
Globally, record numbers of people have been displaced by war, conflict, and persecution. Many have sought refuge in Malaysia, drawn by the country’s stability and economic opportunities. Today, more than a hundred thousand refugees and asylum seekers from neighbouring countries and the Middle East reside in Malaysia.
However, Malaysia is not a signatory to the UN Refugee Convention, meaning refugees have limited access to social welfare, formal employment, and education. As a result, many families struggle to support themselves and remain vulnerable to poverty and social isolation.
The Solution
The Picha Project creates livelihoods for refugees by turning traditional home cooking into a platform for cultural exchange and income generation.
Working with refugee cooks in Kuala Lumpur, The Picha Project delivers and caters authentic home-cooked meals representing the native cuisines of refugee families. These meals allow families to earn income using their culinary skills while sharing their cultural heritage with a wider audience.
To deepen public understanding of refugee experiences, the organisation introduced the Picha Open House programme. Inspired by the Malaysian tradition of welcoming guests for festive meals, the initiative invites diners into the homes of refugee families to enjoy traditional dishes and engage in meaningful conversations.
During these shared meals, guests can learn about the families’ journeys and experiences while building connections across cultures. The programme not only helps refugee families gain financial independence but also fosters empathy and friendship between communities.
The Grant with AirAsia Foundation
AirAsia Foundation’s grant helps The Picha Project expand its Open House programme and create new income opportunities for refugee families.
- Train and engage 10 additional refugee families to participate in the programme
- Develop new menus showcasing diverse cultural cuisines
- Strengthen marketing and outreach efforts to attract new diners
Through this expansion, the initiative aims to reach more participants while creating sustainable income opportunities for refugee communities in Malaysia.
Gallery
The Organisation
The Picha Project
The Picha Project was founded by Malaysian trio Kim Lim, Lee Swee Lin, and Suzanne Ling after volunteering as teachers at a refugee learning centre in Kuala Lumpur. During their visits to students’ homes, they discovered many families living in severe poverty and struggling to keep their children in school. In response, they created The Picha Project as a social enterprise that enables refugee families to earn income through cooking and food entrepreneurship. In addition to catering and meal delivery services, the organisation also hosts Open Houses, cooking workshops, awareness events, and training programmes that bring refugee stories closer to the public.
Social Enterprise
