Yayah Scaf, affectionately known as ‘Ibu Ade’, is a 63-year-old Indonesian migrant. Today she works tirelessly for the disadvantaged in Perth’s south-east, having committed her life to being the change she wants to see. Through her business, KwikFud Cafe by Warung Ade, she runs a free food service that provides essential meals to those facing hardships. Ibu Ade is now joined by a dedicated team of 40 volunteers. Together, they prepare and hand out about 200 packs of hot meals, which include tasty chicken, rice, and noodles.
Ibu Ade’s mission is about more than the food. She is hard at work to heal divisive community rifts and combat the growing tide of Islamophobia. As a proud Muslim and mother of three, she understands the importance of unity and compassion in these challenging times. Her work feeds the hungry and empowers the underserved. They build a sense of purpose, belonging and support that surrounds and uplifts an entire community.
Yet the demand for such services has increased exponentially, forcing millions of people and families into hostile and dangerous environments. According to Kath Snell, a representative from local homelessness services, “We are seeing more and more people who have never presented to homelessness services before.” This increase in need has never been more evident than with the continued crises so many are living through today.
The Australian housing market has radically transformed over the last five years, making affordable housing out of reach for most. Nicola Powell notes, “We’ve seen an extraordinary period across Australia’s housing market over the past five years.” The continuing escalation of housing prices and rents has harmed tens of millions of people, from the middle class to working class and low-income households. “So many people earning a median income cannot afford to pay a median rent, and that’s where that affordability gap comes in,” adds Snell.
She plans to continue serving free meals in the winter, a major lifeline for residents unable to afford stable housing. It makes sure they have access to enough nutritious meals. Once a week she catches the bus to Perth city, advocating for the community she loves, to distribute food and make sure nobody sleeps hungry. Her experiences with childhood abuse in rural Indonesia inspire her to work on behalf of others. Through her practice, she hopes that sharing food can help restore humanity to others, build empathy between various cultures, and overcome prejudices.
“Unfortunately, new figures reveal that many people in Western Australia are being turned away from accommodation assistance,” warns Snell. Like many communities across the U.S., homelessness is increasingly visible in our region. Today, community support services are under significant strain to serve a rapidly expanding need.
Brendon Benell, who has benefited from Ibu Ade’s service, stresses the importance of community gatherings that her food service facilitates. “We like that we get fed here, and we can get together to talk and even see a street doctor as well,” he says. These types of interactions can deeply improve the mental health of people who deal with adversity.
In terms of how Ibu Ade’s work changes lives, the effect is deep. In all of this, she gives hope and spiritual nourishment to the people who need it most. Her commitment to her community is unwavering, as she reflects on the reality of hunger: “Hunger does not disappear when it rains.” This provocation captures her energy and her drive to continue fighting until she’s fulfilled her mission to save lives.
Despite the challenges presented by rising living costs and homelessness, Ibu Ade remains a steadfast source of support for vulnerable individuals. Her accomplishments stretch far beyond the task of providing food. Beyond her musical gifts, she purposefully creates community and belonging for those who might feel very alone in their experiences.
