SEAMSTRESS GETS 1AZAM BOOST
Mother of six runs sewing business in Kajang
MARDHIAH KHUSAIRI KUALA LUMPUR news@nst.com.my
THERE was a time when Anita Ali struggled to make ends meet. This changed after she signed up with the Akhiri Zaman Miskin (1AZAM) programme under the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry in 2010.
Now, the 47-year-old mother of six earns about RM2,000 a month sewing clothes in Kajang.
Through the programme, she learned sewing and basic business operations, and received aid in the form of a sewing machine.
Anita started out with a small rented space, but was determined to expand her business, again receiving assistance under the 1AZAM programme.
Two years ago, Anita received two more sewing machines from 1AZAM.
“Since then, I have invested in five sewing machines. Now I employ parttimers to help me out during weekends.
“Someday, I hope to open up a bigger shop and a boutique. It will not be easy, but this is my dream,” she said.
Anita had previously operated a food stall for 15 years, but found it hard to earn enough to support her family, despite her hard work.
She admitted her decision to go into a different venture was a big leap of faith, but said that the 1AZAM programme got her through it.
Anita stressed that a participant’s success depended on how committed they were to pursuing their dreams.
“My motivation comes from my responsibility to my family,” she said.
More than 90 per cent of 1AZAM’s participants had increased their income by at least RM300 by 2014.
Introduced in 2009, the programme is an initiative to raise the living standards of the low-income group.
Under this programme, participants are provided with assistance most suited to their circumstances and capabilities to upskill themselves.