Raia Empowerment Foundation is set to open an inclusive cafe creating jobs for persons with disabilities
CHRISTINE MACHADO
A 119-year-old heritage house in Raia is all set for a new innings with Avo Betty’s Cafe, scheduled to open in May. The initiative by the Raia Empowerment Foundation aims to provide employment for persons with disabilities.
A core committee member, Sandra Sousa Menon, says, “The Raia Empowerment Foundation is a not-for-profit set up to focus on ability, not disability. Avo Betty’s Cafe is one way we put this into practice, where people can work with dignity and purpose.”
The cafe is named after the mother Judith Vaz Noronha (one of the committee members), who has opened her ancestral home for this project. “The cafe honours her love for food and her home-style recipes,” explains Menon. “It’s not just a place to eat; it continues her traditions and shares them with the community.”
The menu includes freshly brewed teas and coffees, as well as Goan specialties such as stuffed poie, rissois and other savoury snacks, with a focus on comfort and accessibility.
At the cafe, persons with disabilities will take on daily tasks while undergoing training in hospitality, kitchen work, food handling, customer service and life skills. “Chefs Sebastian and Sandip, will guide the training to prepare everyone for their roles,” says Menon, who also designed the cafe space. “Our goal was to create a functional space that works for everyone involved.”
The other members include former president and executive director at Ashok Leyland, Rajive Saharia; restoration expert Melwin Chico; and counsellor Debra Goes Proença. Together, says Menon, they bring a mix of expertise to manage the cafe efficiently and inclusively.
