“Mahaba Café isn’t just a job for my sister. It’s our second family."
- info110253
- Mar 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 28
At Mahaba Cafe, we get to know our learners pretty well.
But an added dimension to our work is what we share with our learners’ families and caregivers - a close bond. It exists quietly in the background, but it's a partnership that is steadfast.
And why is this? Well, we have an innate shared understanding of the obstacles that young people with autism and learning disabilities face.
We understand the lows. We get the bureaucracy and dead-ends. And together, with our learners' families, we celebrate the wins and the hard work that the young people put in every day.
To mark World Down Syndrome Day, we are proud to feature one of the Mahaba learners, Rathi and her sister, Sethu.
Here’s what they had to say about their experience at Mahaba.
Sethu: “It’s funny, because when we were growing up, Rathi was the bubbly, chatty child and I was the ‘quiet’ one.
As we grew up together, however, I witnessed that care-free nature in my sister fade slightly. I struggle to pin it down to a single event, but it was most likely a slow-burn effect of not being sufficiently understood or supported at college, particularly as she became an adult.
Rathi has Down Syndrome - a genetic condition that includes some degree of learning disability. Finding things that she can participate in safely and independently can be tricky. It was hard to watch her retreat into herself.
We have had a difficult couple of years as a family, including a bereavement. I am a student, and as the family member who shoulders most of Rathi’s care, things haven’t always been easy. I searched for a long time to find something that would provide Rathi with support and opportunities that would open up the world to her a little more. A note to Mahaba Café was one of many emails I fired off into the ether.
I remember the exact date when we heard back from Mahaba. It was 11th October 2024. Muriel - the Founder of Mahaba Café - wrote that we would be welcome to come and meet them. Rathi started the following month.
And it has truly been the best education programme of its kind that Rathi has ever done. She would agree with me here, without a doubt.
"The change in my sister has been remarkable.
She talks much more these days and has gained confidence. She has a sense of purpose and is proud of what she does - “My sister goes to uni, and I go to the cafe,” she tells our friends and family members at gatherings.
Naturally, she has a full skillset that she didn’t have before. Customer service, communication, making hot drinks, serving food, following instructions, taking payment from a customer… I could go on.
I often wake up to the sound of Rathi putting on the kettle at home and making me a brew. She takes real pride in all the drinks she makes.
Rathi has very recently started a part-time job with the council serving food facilitated by Mahaba, which is just brilliant for her. She has worked really hard and thoroughly deserves it.
But most of all, my sister is a happier person. She celebrates her birthdays at Mahaba, she has made friends, and I know she can thrive as a young person growing in independence all the time.
The word Mahaba means “love” in Swahili, and this truly reflects the environment and spirit of this café. The love and warmth the team have shown my sister and me is incredible, and it continues to give me hope every single day. The team at Mahaba Café is a second family to us. They are caring, compassionate, and I am eternally grateful for their support, as it is life-changing."
Rathi: "Mahaba is a magical dream. I enjoy making hot drinks like latte, flat white, Americano, hot chocolate, iced coffee and single espresso the most.
I make sure to clean the tables and the chairs with blue roll and sanitiser. I enjoy making food and coffee for customers. The experience is brilliant, and I learn customer service skills. I like Ben, Zoe, Muriel, as they make me happy, and Angelina is always helpful in making coffees and making food. Thank you. Rathijaa"
We are proud to be a safe space to meet families exactly where they’re at.
Want to know more? Find out if Mahaba Cafe could be right for you, or a loved one here.
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