Food’s Good, Not ‘Sozo’
Activity: Sozo Café and Student Centre
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Tip: Don’t be afraid to make suggestions and get into the kitchen to help them
Simple food sales evolved into a social platform for students and the disabled to earn some money, some respect, and make a difference.
Sozo exuberance
Sozo exuberance
The experience:What started as a small street-side stand selling cookies in 2004 quickly expanded into the Sozo Café on Bui Vien Street the next year, followed by the Sozo Student Centre on Su Van Hanh in 2006. Inside the café, visitors find a wide variety of freshly baked cookies and cakes, simple western and Vietnamese meals along with a choice of coffee, juices and bubble tea, with cheerful service provided by disabled and underprivileged Vietnamese and their children.
Visitors are encouraged to suggest menu items and actually teach the staff how to bake new treats or drinks, and Sozo will even schedule a few days for training. Sozo also welcomes tourists to join the staff and students for English corner, cultural exchanges, trips to the Mekong Delta and game night. This provides an enjoyable and memorable experience for tourists while helping them understand the Vietnamese and their culture.
Sozo offers free wi-fi internet access and computers for its customers as well as a variety of handicrafts made by locals and souvenirs like mugs and t-shirts. Both locations are easily accessed by the physically challenged with ramps from the street and non-restrictive entrance doors.
A place where young and disabled staff learn skills that build self esteem
A place where young and disabled staff learn skills that build self esteem
How it helps: Both Sozo locations employ and train disadvantaged Vietnamese and their children in specific work skills, with the aim of preparing them for outside jobs. Staff are also sent to vocational schools, computer classes or even back to high school if needed. The café and student centre are run in partnership with local Vietnamese and all the staff are involved in certain management aspects of the decision making process.
The Sozo Student Centre is the first of its kind in Vietnam, and encourages the students to reach out to their communities. Students also assist in working at both shops, which aim to create a model for local businesses and other students, so they think differently about the disadvantaged in their country. Many of the staff are disabled, and Sozo focuses on their strengths rather than their physical disabilities to restore hope and change lives, not only for the staff but the people with whom they come in contact.
Sozo is currently developing a student volunteer network throughout Vietnam to equip university students with the skills and opportunities to work in their own communities. This is being achieved by linking with other volunteer projects and NGOs.
Location and contact information
Sozo
Maxine Raabe
176 Bui Vien, District 1
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84) [0] 90 886 3685
Fax: (+1) 425 799 1269
E-mail: sozovietnam@mac.com, sozoasia@mac.com
Web: www.sozoasia.com; www.sozocentre.com
Open daily 0700-2300
Map: Marker indicates Ho Chi Min … not where the Sozo is exactly …
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