At Cafe 21, located in the Al Ghurair shopping center in Dubai, customers can not only enjoy coffee and exquisite desserts but also immerse themselves in a unique world that touches the depths of humanity. Here, the Daoona syndrome collective works, preparing and serving beverages, turning every cup of coffee into a message of hope. This exceptional experience confirms the capability of people with limited opportunities to achieve outstanding results when presented with support and development opportunities.
Participating in every aspect of this cafe, the history of success is rooted in the strengths and support. From the barista, who masters the art of coffee preparation, to the cashier, who exudes positive energy, and the unique team of service personnel, vibrant visitors leave with more radiant hearts, all efforts are directed towards developing equitable conditions.
Amina Hussein, secretary of the Daoona Syndrome Society in the UAE, emphasized that the Cafe 21 project has become a pinnacle of community efforts in the rehabilitation and employment of people with limited opportunities. This initiative is the result of years of work, planning, and training in partnership with external organizations to ensure the sustainable integration of these young people into the labor market.
The project began some time ago, collaborating with various structures, such as hotels and the UAE Academy of Hospitality, to prepare young people with limited opportunities for work in the service sector, convincing them of their desire to develop in this field. From the outset, there was great interest and enthusiasm among the youth, which served as a catalyst for the creation of a sustainable project, subsequently continued at the UAE Academy for Hospitality for people with Daoona Syndrome, where regular training began with the aim of preparing them for work in the hospitality industry.
The organization launched the first real production line in 2024 as part of the "Expo for People with Limited Opportunities" event, presenting the product "cookies" as an experiment to gauge public reaction. The response turned out to be enormous, and the interest exceeded expectations, prompting the expansion of the production assortment.
Unique barista Sunil Subbari expressed his joy at being part of the Cafe 21 team, emphasizing that he takes pride in the successes of the team, its ability to learn quickly and improve, especially in preparing and serving coffee for clients who come here daily and leave with delightful experiences.
Cashier Akiya Barban emphasized that the cafe team is constantly infused with energy, joy, and a positive attitude, not only for the clients but for themselves, which enhances their preparation and ability to serve clients under motivating conditions, filled with joy and positive energy. "With their constant smile, our friends create us a permanent happiness and hope, transmitting to us the energy and their ability to transform experiences," Akiya noted, emphasizing that the cafe collective fairly values clients, making their place popular and attractive to the public and renowned.
