Her innovative social enterprise helps refugees make both food and a living

In the What Matters To Me series, a Generation T honouree describes what they do, why they do it, and why it matters.

Lim Yuet Kim is helping to give refugees in Malaysia a chance to thrive. The Picha Project, the social enterprise of which she is CEO and co-founder, gives marginalised families from countries such as Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan the chance to use their culinary skills to earn a living. Here, Lim describes her work in her own words.

Food is a bridge between people and a means to raise awareness of the work that we do. Food has helped promote culture and break barriers so that we can start understanding people in a more peaceful manner.

I am motivated by seeing lives changed for the better and ensuring families don’t have to worry about whether they can pay their rent on time or if they are able to send their children to school. Seeing kids being educated and progressing each time we meet them also definitely motivates us.

Tatler Asia

Our greatest achievement has been to see the Zaza Movement grow. The movement, named after our late chef from Syria, features a community box at [shopping mall] The Linc KL where people can drop off groceries bought for refugees to cook before we send it to people in need. This was what Zaza always wanted to do.

You’ve just got to put in the hours and effort, be determined and passionate—you’ll get there surely

- Yuet Kim Lim -

Our most-talked-about event was GoLove, in which we partnered with [car sharing app] GoCar and [dating app] Wowwwz for Amazing Race-style speed dating. It was amazing to have partners who care about our mission and help us reach out to more people in a fun way.

Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t make something happen. You’ve just got to put in the hours and effort, be determined and passionate—you’ll get there surely.

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