Maryland Dough dishes up hope and belonging in Kota Kinabalu

Maryland Dough, a bakery in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, is making a difference in the lives of people with special needs, senior citizens and retirees. Founded by Tricia Richard Linsang and Sharon Shilla Sylvester, the bakery provides employment, social connection and a sense of purpose to those who might otherwise be left behind. Linsang, 40, was inspired by her experience in early childhood education, where she saw parents worry about their children with special needs when they were no longer around to care for them.

Similarly, she noticed seniors struggling to find meaning in their retirement. Maryland Dough, located in Penampang, opened in May 2021 as part of the NGO Persatuan Autism Pelita Harapan Sabah. Participants learn baking skills and everyday abilities like handling money, interacting with customers and teamwork. Named after Linsang's late mother, the bakery was a way to continue her mother's legacy of educating young people from an early age.

Running the bakery hasn't been easy, but Linsang and Sylvester remain committed to their participants, noting how their skills and confidence have grown. Senior bakers bring wisdom and patience, while the youths offer joy and perseverance. Together, they create a supportive environment where everyone can learn and grow. Maryland Dough's efforts were recognized in June 2021 when it was named one of five state winners of the Shell LiveWire Malaysia Sabah challenge, which supports innovation and entrepreneurship.

Looking ahead, Linsang hopes to expand the bakery's model to other parts of the country and create a more inclusive Malaysia.