Smarter Bjak Cafe
SMARTER BJAK Cafe is Brunei’s first autism-focused café, employing 100% individuals with autism. It provides meaningful employment and training, aligning with SMARTER’s P.L.E.D.G.E. that “Everyone Will Be Employed.” Staff are paid based on attendance and completed tasks, gaining experience in food preparation, customer service and maintenance supporting their journey toward independence and sustainability.
- Brunei Darussalam
SMARTER B.A.C.A & BJAK Café provide structured training and employment opportunities for adults with autism through sheltered, supported, and open employment programmes. Their initiatives focus on developing life and work skills, offering apprenticeships, certifications, and inclusive hiring pathways that foster independence, confidence, and long-term growth.
Established in June 2020, BJAK Café & Bistro is fully operated by individuals with autism, serving as both a café and a live training ground. The menu includes handcrafted beverages, hearty meals such as burgers and shepherd’s pie, and baked goods like cookies and buns, with plans to expand further. The café also promotes ethical ASEAN coffee blends, sourced sustainably from across the region.
Beyond food and beverage, the enterprise champions community education and advocacy by hosting workshops, pop-ups, and training on neurodiversity in the workplace. With an active presence on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, they use digital storytelling and live streams to raise awareness, share experiences, and encourage greater inclusivity across ASEAN.