Tender Hearts

When Su Anne Lee was younger, she was quiet, timid, even. She rarely made eye contact and barely spoke when addressed. But today, she greets customers at a bustling café, shares her story with others, and speaks on behalf of people with intellectual disabilities across Malaysia. Her transformation didn’t happen overnight, it was nurtured with love, belief, and opportunity. And it all started at Tender Hearts.

Tender Hearts Café, a cozy and purpose-driven space in Malaysia, is more than a café. It’s a social enterprise started by Su Anne’s mother, Sharon Lee, who saw something many others overlooked, a gap between formal education and meaningful employment for people with intellectual disabilities. Sharon, like many parents of children with intellectual differences, wondered what came after school. When Su Anne was diagnosed later in her childhood, it became clear that while there was growing awareness for children with special needs, support often vanished as they grew older.

“It really felt like a calling for me to do something,” Sharon said. And so, she did.

Sharon joined forces with two other mothers and their daughters to create Tender Hearts, a space where youth with intellectual disabilities could not only gain skills but find purpose. It began simply with three girls, a kitchen, and a dream. Today, Tender Hearts is a partner of Special Olympics Malaysia and a recognized training ground for inclusive employment. It’s a hub of joy, collaboration, and confidence-building.

Su Anne’s journey at Tender Hearts began cautiously. “She wasn’t a kitchen person,” Sharon said. “So, we started her at the cashier counter, but even then, she was shy to ask customers what they wanted.” Day by day, task by task, Su Anne started to find her rhythm. With guidance and patience, she learned how to take orders, greet guests, and eventually how to lead.

“She’s more vocal now,” says Sharon. “She talks to customers. She’s more confident. I’ve seen a big change in her.”

That change caught the attention of others, too. When the former national director of Special Olympics Malaysia saw Su Anne in action, she immediately recognized her potential. Soon after, Su Anne was invited to give a speech at a national event, a moment that would have seemed unimaginable just a few years earlier.

“She wanted to do it,” Sharon said. “And she did. I was so happy, it was a new level for her.”

Su Anne’s voice has only grown louder and prouder since then. Today, she is an advocate, an employee, and a role model. With Special Olympics Malaysia’s support, she continues to speak up for inclusion, showing others what’s possible when people with intellectual disabilities are seen, supported, and believed in.

Of course, the journey hasn’t always been easy. Sharon admits it’s still challenging; there’s no roadmap for building a future in a world that isn’t always inclusive. “I’m still learning. It’s still trial and error. But I emphasize social skills above all. Like any other parent, I want my child to be independent one day. When I’m no longer here, I want her to be able to care for herself.”

That’s the heart of Tender Hearts, building independence through opportunity. The café is more than a business, it’s a springboard for dignity, confidence, and hope. And one day, Sharon hopes the youth themselves will take the reins.

“My dream is for Su Anne and her friends to own and run this place. I know she won’t give up. She’s persistent. If she wants to do something, she will.”

For now, they keep showing up, keep learning, and keep leading the way one order, one speech, and one determined step at a time.

“I’m so blessed to have her,” Sharon says. “All I want is for her to move forward. Give them the training. Give them the confidence. They’ll do the rest.”