Baking with Purpose: Esther’s Journey of Giving

Born and bred in Sarawak, Esther moved to Kuala Lumpur to study and build her career. Today, she’s a wife, mother of two who works full time as a Senior Influencer & Campaign Specialist. She is also the founder of BAKEsther, a passion project born during the MCO (Movement Control Order) period in 2022. What began as a way to embrace her love for baking quickly transformed into a way to give back to the community through Malaysian CARE.

It All Started Here, Many Years Back

Esther was introduced to Malaysian CARE by her close college friend, who is now a staff member. However, her journey towards becoming a regular donor began long before that, rooted in her college days. Alongside other friends, Esther was involved in a church ministry, spending Saturdays visiting children in Kampung Pandan, Kuala Lumpur.

She recalls walking through the contrasting streets—past semi-detached homes into alleys of run-down houses—where the children would greet them with joy. One particular memory stands out: during a session where the children shared their dreams, a young boy drew a picture of a train driver. That moment struck Esther deeply, as she pondered who could pave the way for that boy to achieve his dream.

Esther with two dear friends who she had the privilege to serve the community and grow with through the years, celebrating friendship.

Today, she knows the answer: “The ministry (like Malaysian CARE) holds the power to provide paths for the younger generation and the community. That’s why I became a regular donor.”

For Esther, giving is not about sympathy—it’s about sincerity. “Giving out of sympathy provides a short-term solution. Giving out of sincerity provides a long-term solution,” she explains. Her principle is simple but profound: Do it because you want to, not because you have to.

This has shaped her approach to giving, and she views Malaysian CARE as her long-term solution to contributing back to the community. A portion of the income she earns from BAKEsther goes directly to the organisation because, as she puts it, “knowing that as I give, God multiplies.”

Transformed through Giving

Although Esther’s connection to Malaysian CARE isn’t one of direct, on-the-ground involvement, she describes their relationship as an “LDR” (long-distance relationship)—in the best possible way. Despite not being physically present during activities, she feels deeply connected and trusts the ministry’s initiatives.

Balancing work and passion — aft er the birth of her first child, Esther returned to the workforce, specializing in client servicing and campaign management.

“Witnessing the initiatives that this ministry continuously undertakes shows that Malaysian CARE is trustworthy,” Esther says. She values the consistency and dedication of the team, recognising that without them, the organisation could not function.

As someone working in the corporate world, she says it has transformed her understanding of ‘Client Servicing.’ She sees the dedication of the staff as something that goes beyond the usual definitions of service—they are pouring their time, energy, and heart into their work.

“I honour and salute each staff member who sincerely pours their time into Malaysian CARE. Without them, this ministry couldn’t run. With them, changes are made for the community,” she reflects. Esther believes that these staff members deserve nothing less than a standing ovation for the impact they’re making.

Hopes for the Future

When it comes to the future, Esther’s vision is clear: a world where no one is labelled as ‘poor and needy.’ She dreams of communities that are self-sustainable and flourish equally, without the stark contrasts between high-rise buildings and run-down houses. Her hope is for a world where everyone thrives, and no one is left behind.

Esther has since been baking for her friends’ and family’s birthdays, using her passion to bring joy to loved ones. She hopes to continue to build both her personal life and the community.

Esther’s message to other donors is one of encouragement: sikit-sikit, lama-lama jadi bukit. Using her passion for baking as an analogy, she explains that we can start small, “baking little muffins,” and eventually we’ll build something greater—like a “five-tier cake.”

Through her giving and the growth of BAKEsther, Esther is helping bake an empire fit for all—a place where everyone has a chance to rise.

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