KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 16 — There’s a new dessert kiosk in Pavilion KL serving up walnut-based treats, but what makes it special isn’t just what’s on the menu.
Winky Walnut, located at The Connection in Pavilion KL, offers everything walnut – from ice cream and ice-blended drinks to bubble egg waffles.
But behind the counter are individuals from marginalised and lower-income backgrounds, given a chance at employment through the brand’s social mission.
The kiosk is run in collaboration with local non-profit group Rainbow of Life Forces (ROLF), which supports underprivileged children and youth.
The partnership was formalised through a memorandum of understanding to ensure continuous training and employment for ROLF’s beneficiaries.
Founder of both ROLF and Winky Walnut, Adelyn Lim, said the initiative was built on her three decades of volunteer work and aims to offer more than temporary aid.
“Our focus is orphans, fresh graduates who are having a hard time securing employment as well as individuals from lower-income families,” she told Malay Mail.
“Through hands-on learning and purposeful employment, we equip them with practical skills.
“This initiative not only fosters economic independence but also nurtures a new generation of skilled professionals who can contribute to sustainable development,” she said.
Lim, 57, explained that many orphans lose institutional support once they turn 18 and are often left unprepared to enter the workforce.
“These jobs don’t have Employees Provision Fund and this makes it harder for them in the long run, especially when they want to buy a house or even when applying for loans.
“So we want to teach them these values and also expose them to proper working etiquettes,” she said.
At the moment, Winky Walnut employs six workers; three are stationed at the Pavilion kiosk and three more at its central kitchen in Kuala Lumpur.
Lim said the team also plans to hire single mothers to support its operations, alongside professional trainers who provide on-the-job coaching.
Beyond its social mission, the brand takes pride in its products.
All desserts are made with pure walnut powder imported from Xinjiang, China, and contain no preservatives, artificial colouring or refined sugar.
Each item is lactose- and gluten-free, the result of more than a year of research and development.
The kiosk itself was built with sustainability in mind, using low-impact materials such as recycled wood and energy-efficient lighting.
The business also uses a carbon management solution to monitor its emissions, in anticipation of Malaysia’s upcoming carbon tax framework.
Winky Walnut has also launched a mobile app that rewards customers with points for discounts and promotions – or allows them to donate their points so ROLF children can redeem free ice cream.
For Lim, every scoop and waffle sold is more than a dessert, it’s a step towards dignity and opportunity for those who need it most.
