If you’re from Asia, it’s likely the sight of a stack of circular silver containers unlocks some deep trigger of nostalgia in you. Many will remember some form of this carrier holding delightfully warm home-cooked food either for themselves or a loved one, although the origin of the word is said to historically refer to a light meal (breakfast or tea time) — derived from the English colloquialism ‘tiffing’ which refer to having a small drink — and became normalised to also refer to packed lunches which is more commonly known for now. Its impact and influence in Indian culture is so ingrained that there is even a film featuring the concept and tiffin carriers (Movie buffs need to ass the critically acclaimed film “The Lunchbox” to their Must Watch List).
Today’s typical lunch boxes are far less sturdy and often made some type of plastic, and with all the conflict surrounding microplastic and the recent bombshell that silicon is in fact not as heat-safe as it was marketed to be, stainless steel and other materials have come back into fashion for the working man and woman. Enter Tiffin Jeiwa — a Malaysian born brand that utilises the classic tiffin containers into business empowering female victims of domestic violence and creating a sustainable income channel for them. JEIWA, or Johor Empowerment of Intellectual Women Association, was created in 2015 by founder Ina Fadilah Nizar, whose own experiences led her to creating a platform and community to support other victims of domestic violence.
The shape and style of the containers have been modernised slightly, and all the carriers in the brand have been hand painted with non-toxic water based paints in delightful designs, many of which are limited edition versions and only available through select distributors or shops. there exclusive items are wonderful swaps for anyone who uses a lunch box and supporting a vulnerable community at the same time makes each purchase extra special. Now, you can get your very own right here in Brunei and contribute to the livelihood of women working hard to rebuild their lives. It’s a feel good purchase that truly does good work too!
