Imaduddin School’s Kakkaa Vathi programme provides vocational training in pastry and baking, offering hands-on learning opportunities to students with different learning needs. Central to this effort is the support from the Atmosphere Foundation, which has played a key role in ensuring the programme’s continuity and maintenance of the training kitchen.

Kakkaa Vathi runs its programme as a four-month course, with two sessions of 2.5 hours each week. The volunteer chef conducting the classes also offers additional support when students are preparing for external assessments. In June 2023, seven students were assessed by the Maldives National Skills Development Authority (MNSDA), and four obtained Level 3 certifications in pastry and baking.

In its first year, Kakkaa Vathi received financial support from the Atmosphere Foundation. This funding allowed the school to construct a completely new training kitchen from ground up. In the second year of operations, Atmosphere Foundation has also sponsored the chef instructor, allowing the school to keep the vocational program operational.

The training kitchen is well-maintained by the school, ensuring that hygiene and cleanliness standards are met. Atmosphere Foundation assists the school further through its annual maintenance check and looks after equipment maintenance and pest control issues.

Atmosphere Foundation continues to receive monitoring reports from the school, as agreed upon in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). These reports include updates on the programme’s progress and operational challenges.

Despite challenges, Imaduddin School remains committed to resuming certification of students through the Kakkaa Vathi programme. The process of hiring a full-time instructor is ongoing. Efforts are also underway to source reliable suppliers for baking materials, ensuring the programme can continue without interruption.

With continued support from the Atmosphere Foundation, the Kakkaa Vathi programme will keep providing students with practical skills that are vital for their future, offering them opportunities in culinary and hospitality fields.

Two students who graduated in the first batch of Kakkaa Vathi are now sponsored by Atmosphere Foundation on the Advanced Certificate in Hospitality & Tourism at The Maldives National University. This is a one-year programme that supports the selected recipients in seeking internships or employment in the hospitality and tourism industry once their course is completed.