The truth is that for those with Down syndrome, finding a suitable place of work can sometimes be a challenge. It often requires a supportive environment where those with the disability is afforded the proper space, time, and understanding to grow and thrive. And that’s exactly what South Lane co-creater Jodia Ma has created for Ah Hei, who joined their Quarry Bay location within Dorset House’s coworking space Blueprint.

With a focus on offering nourishing, nutritious and balanced meals whilst promoting a more sustainable lifestyle – meaning more greens and less meat – South Lane also places great importance on inclusivity and love. 

“I’ve worked with Jo on a few events before and just when we opened South Lane Quarry Bay last September, she mentioned she had a lineup of these great youths looking for work placements,” Jodia tells us. “I thought it would be a great place for Ah Hei because of the working schedule. This location is open only during office hours, Monday to Friday, and it’s closed on public holidays. The team members here are also all mothers, so they’re all very nurturing people. He also has a close friend, almost like a big brother, called Raymond, who has taken him under his wing. When I mentioned the plan to the team, everyone was very positive and happy to have Ah Hei join us. They told me they’d take great care of him, so I knew it was the right place.”

Ah Hei has now worked at South Lane Quarry Bay since December last year, and he’s been getting along great, according to Jodia. His main duties involve taking care of both the indoor and outdoor dining areas for patrons, ensuring everything is clean, tidy, and welcoming. As part of a contributing member of the team, he’s become family.

“He knows exactly what he has to do, and he does it great,” Jodia says. “He has his own pace, and we just let him do his thing. We never have to rush him or push him to do anything. We always trust him, because we know that he’s able to carry out the tasks we’ve given to him.”

Jodia has been working in the industry for decades, and supporting a cause like r é n’s, she tells us, has been something she’s always wanted to do. 

“I’ve actually wanted to do something like this for years, but we never really found the right opportunity until r é n,” she explains. “When I first started South Lane, I wasn’t building a business in particular to make money. The inspiration came first from the menu, which was to create food that was nutritious, something I’d be happy to eat myself. From the ingredients down to the oil and salt we use, I wanted everything to be as clean and as nourishing as possible. 

“And then it’s also about sustainability – building a business that takes care of both people’s health and the environment. From day one, we’ve embraced sustainable packaging, and we source only from respectable, green farms and fisheries. Finally, I’ve always wanted to provide a safe, happy and positive environment for people who work here – somewhere someone like Ah Hei can feel comfortable. Inclusion has always been a big part of what I wanted to do, and I’ve actually tried to reach out to different government agencies to set something up like this, but to no avail. When r é n and Jo eventually reached out, I felt so happy because I knew we could actually make this happen. I’ve been manifesting this for a long time, and when it finally worked out, it became a very rewarding experience for all of us.”