A first-of-its-kind establishment, known as “The Play Cafe,” was dedicated on 2 November 2023 in Mokokchung. The cafe is the brain child of Limaonen Imchen and his wife Hannah, who are widely known as “The Imchen Family” on various social media platforms, including YouTube.
The Play Cafe is a pay by hour, expansive play area designed exclusively for children, featuring trampolines, rock climbing walls, slides, tunnels, ball pits, and a race track, ensuring children’s imagination and energy are well-catered for.
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Pastor Yanglu of Mokokchung Town Baptist Church (MTBA) dedicated The Play Cafe, while Erik, Youth Pastor of Victoria Baptist Church, Eastbourne, delivered a message from their church. In his message, Erik quoted, “If you will it, it is no longer a dream, but if you do not will it, it will only remain a dream.” He emphasized that Hannah turned her dream into a reality, marking the beginning of a new dream for the community. Erik expressed his hope that the cafe would serve as a space for people to connect with each other and their culture, fostering meaningful celebrations and inspiring young people with kindness and godly values.
Hannah Imchen, during the opening of The Play Cafe, shared insights into the startup of this unique play cafe in the town. She acknowledged the challenges they faced and explained that their inspiration came from the realization that there were limited safe and enjoyable spaces for children in the town. Instead of complaining, they took action, believing that they could bring positive change.
Originally, they had plans to construct their own building for the Play Cafe, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted their progress. Despite the setbacks, their determination prevailed. This year, they finally found the location to begin their dream project. Today, their initial vision has been fulfilled. Hannah emphasized that the Play Cafe’s purpose is not purely for business but for community upliftment. She also mentioned their vision to provide free playtime to underprivileged children, especially those attending government primary schools, making it accessible to all families.
Hannah Imchen shared that the entry fee is set at 100 rupees per head per hour. She also mentioned that the charges are kept as minimal as possible to cover staff salaries. She emphasized their goal of creating part-time employment opportunities and setting a trend for college students in the community which will help students to earn pocket money while pursuing their education.
With a current staff of three, the cafe not only provides children with a fun and safe environment but also offers parents or guardians a relaxing space to wait while enjoying tea, coffee, snacks, hot/cold drinks, and ice creams. Furthermore, The Play Cafe can be pre-booked for school field trips and other group activities on an hourly basis.
