This café in Malate gives hope to Manila street children

Posted at 5:04 pm September 21, 2011

Tags: Coffee, Food Establishments

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By KC Santos

MANILA CITY, METRO MANILA – The Kanlungan sa ER-MA Ministry, Inc. Kafé brews excellent coffee and at the same time tries to give a brighter future to street children roaming the mean streets of Ermita and Malate.

KSEM’s Kafé was founded by Sol Balbero and part of her goal is to give Manila street children a shot at success. The servers in this café were actual street children whom Nanay Sol was able to give shelter and care.

She has devoted 23 years of her life taking care of them through the Christian organization which she started along with two others. The ministry members have now tripled since their first operations in 1988.

“We started off as volunteers but the direction we were taking became even broader. I have learned to love these kids as if they were my own,” says Nanay Sol, whom I had the pleasure to meet with during my visit to the café.

The place is very unassuming, small but very tidy and offers free WiFi. It’s completely bare with only a few wooden and very comfortable chairs occupying the entire space.

Being the proud mother that she is, Nanay Sol says the place was renovated by the three servers themselves. Aside from farming, which was one of the modes of rehabilitation taught to the children under her care, the organization teaches orphans the basics in carpentry.

“We aim to teach them skills, especially in the entrepreneurial aspect so that even though they weren’t able to really attain a college degree, they have the skills enough to start a business,” she says.

David Valdueza, one of the servers at KSEM’s Kafé, was left in the care of Nanay Sol when he was six years old. He is now 21 and one of the cafe’s designated baristas responsible for the exquisite brews.

Coffee served here is harvested from the ministry’s farm in Cavite, planted by rehabilitating adolescents who are currently under the ministry’s care. There are also other handmade products sold in the place and artworks donated by students frequenting the café.

The Chocolate Chip Frozen Mocha (100 pesos) is a crowd favorite. This rich and creamy drink has the consistency of milkshake but made even better with the extra cream and a chunk of chocolate chip cookie on top.

Pair it with their best-selling Baked Macaroni (75 pesos), a specialty of one of the ministry’s members. A huge sliver of this cheese-packed meal is dense and flavorful enough not just to fill but to satisfy your craving.

David says he is thankful that he is given the chance to reciprocate the help given him by the ministry through the café. He says he is now ready to take on life on his own.

“I could not thank enough Nanay Sol and the people who helped us stand on our feet. Life has it’s setbacks but I think with the teachings they’ve instilled in me, I’m now ready to take on life’s bigger challenges,” David says.

David is compensated for his contribution in running the café but proceeds of the KSEM’s Kafé go to the sustenance of other projects.

Get more information about KSEM’s Kafé