Three years after Cadbury helped them turn a love of baking into home businesses, two MyKasih bakers are now passing on what they have learnt. On 31 October, Saraswathy Periyasamy (Kak Saras) and Nur Sharzi Bashar (Pn Sharzi) led a hands-on Cadbury baking workshop for 20 women at PPR Raya Permai.
The pioneering bakers joined the Cadbury and MyKasih Foundation programme in 2023. Today, they run their own operations, sell online and hold a Malaysia Book of Records title. Now, they are stepping into a new role as mentors.
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Inside the Cadbury Baking Workshop at PPR Raya Permai
Led by the two MyKasih bakers, participants learnt to prepare three Cadbury-inspired recipes, including cookies and brownies. They also swapped ideas and explored new ways to grow their interest in baking.
Beyond the recipes, the women learnt from one another and built new connections. Each participant also brought home freshly baked treats for her family.
From Home Kitchens to Thriving Businesses
Since 2023, Cadbury has partnered with MyKasih Foundation to help women from low-income households build baking skills and businesses of their own. With practical training and mentoring, they have grown from selling to neighbours to running independent operations.
Along the way, the MyKasih bakers earned a Malaysia Book of Records title for the Most Cadbury Chocolate Cookies Baked for a Charity Campaign. Today, they are much more than programme participants. They are entrepreneurs with experience to share and role models in their communities.
How the MyKasih Bakers Are Passing On the Generosity
For Kak Saras, becoming a mentor is a meaningful chance to share what she has gained.
“When I first started baking, I was simply doing something I loved – over time, I discovered it could become so much more. I’ve learned a lot throughout this journey with Cadbury and MyKasih, and I’m happy to share what I know with other women. If something I’ve learned can inspire someone else or help them take their own first step, that makes it even more meaningful,” she said.
Pn Sharzi shared the same hope.
“Every baking journey is different, and there’s always something new we can learn from one another. It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to share our experiences, exchange ideas and encourage other women. I hope everyone leaves today feeling inspired to keep learning and creating,” she said.
Cadbury on Creating a Ripple Effect
See Mei Sin, Marketing Director of Mondelēz International Malaysia & Singapore, said the growth of the MyKasih bakers shows how generosity can multiply.
“At Cadbury, we believe generosity is most meaningful when it creates a ripple effect. What makes this initiative especially rewarding is seeing these women grow from passionate home bakers into confident entrepreneurs who are now sharing their knowledge and inspiring others,” she said.
“Their journeys are a testament to the talent, determination and entrepreneurial spirit that exists in every community. Our role is to help create opportunities for that potential to flourish,” she added.
A Deepavali Workshop With a Bigger Purpose
Held in the lead-up to Deepavali, the workshop reflected the spirit of the Festival of Lights: new beginnings, togetherness and sharing joy. Like the festive tradition of sharing food with family and neighbours, the bakers’ willingness to pass on their knowledge shows that generosity grows when it is shared.
The session is one step in Cadbury’s Kuih Raya Dari Hati initiative, which has grown since 2021 to reach more communities across Malaysia. With the MyKasih bakers now taking the lead as mentors, the programme will build on their experience to inspire more women to develop their skills, explore entrepreneurship and pursue new possibilities.
For more on Cadbury Dairy Milk’s products and activities, visit the Cadbury Malaysia Facebook page, or learn about MyKasih Foundation’s community programmes.
