A hotel in the city has wowed Kenyans by their decision to empower people living with disabilities by availing employment opportunities for this disadvantaged group.
The hotel located in Lavington, Nairobi employs people with hearing impairment–a lot that has been ignored by many employers in the country.
Pallet Café management has revealed that there aim is to prove that people living with disabilities are not different from the rest of the people in the society.
After hiring the dumb and deaf, the unique hotel offers them the training required in the foodservice industry.
“We decided to hire people with hearing impairment just to prove to the society that these guys don’t have disabilities. They are just like you and I. They have talents, they need to live a fruitful life. For them to live a fruitful life, they need to be empowered, “ remarked the General Manager.
So far, five employees with hearing disabilities. Some work as waiters and waitresses while some are chefs.
A staff known as Davina Owour said she has learned diverse cooking skills and can make American, Indian, European, and Chinese dishes.
The waiters and waitresses have been trained on how to approach customers and communicate with them without struggling.
To make life easier for the disabled staff, the hotel has devised a simple menu coded to make it easier for the waiters and waitresses with hearing loss.
Their menu, quite simple yet coded to make it easier for the waiters and waitresses. pic.twitter.com/dULdt1gLEE
— Beautiful Black Child (@Miss_Oroda) March 10, 2019
One of the Waiters, Edward Gitau, a 24-year-old man, says he feels comfortable working at Pallet Café because the communication simple despite most of their clients being foreigners.
Here are some reactions from happy Kenyans for the noble course:
They also hire persons with hearing loss.
— Mutheu Mutua 🐱🐾 (@AKenyanGirl) February 10, 2019
Woke up craving food from Pallet Cafe. I get very excited going here. Not just for the food(vegan options too, just throwing that in there) but also learning a little bit of sign language each time! A brilliant sustainable business that supports the Kenyan deaf community! pic.twitter.com/mq8ORR7O4M
— Artista (@2zinak) April 26, 2019
At Pallet Cafe and so far I'm loving the vibe. I could chill here and read a book. Also the waiter serving me is deaf and it's dope too see an establishment give disabled folk a chance. Disability is not inability. Empathy is love. pic.twitter.com/Ry7bxppEbb
— Baraza Mwabe (@barazamwabe) March 1, 2019
Ambia Manager kudos pic.twitter.com/ooipIKZTiq
— Peters. N 🇰🇪 (@peks_n_peks) March 2, 2019
Here is a video on how the deaf waiters operate:
Truly, disability is not inability!