PM to launch summit that highlights single mums’ success
PUTRAJAYA: A group of seamstresses, all single mothers from a remote community in Sarawak, will showcase their success story in an international business conference here next month.
The women from Beladin in Betong will be the highlight of the Global Women’s Trade Summit 2017, where their success will be presented by the Malaysian International Women’s Federation of Commerce and Industry (IWFCI Malaysia).
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak is expected to launch the conference on Sept 4 to 5, while his wife, Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, will be the guest of honour at its charity gala dinner.
IWFCI Malaysia president Datuk Elaine Teh said five seamstresses would present their creations on the runway at the dinner, adding that proceeds from the event would be used to expand its social enterprise.
“When I first met these single mothers from Beladin, I was moved by their struggle and hardship.
“They earned less than RM1,000 a month, and had large families to support.
“A lot of them are good at sewing and looking for an opportunity to break away from poverty. But, they are not well-educated and have not received formal training.”
The sewing school is IWFCI Malaysia’s pilot project, and funded by Teh.
Its three trainers, including one from Singapore, are put on her company’s payroll.
“It is my way of giving back to the society,” said the Singaporebased Malaysian tycoon.
“Beladin women are talented and have a strong will to succeed. But, they do not have the professional skills to be in the garment business.
“So, I teamed up with a fashiondesigner friend from Singapore, and we market their works down south.”
After undergoing training since May, coupled with marketing strategies, Teh’s 23 students have boosted their monthly income to RM2,000 each.
“My friend worked out the business matrix. The more they sew, the more money they make,” she said.
“Besides empowering businesswomen, we also empower the lowincome earner and less educated.
“We help to improve their livelihood.
“We set up a sewing school in the rural area so that they can learn skills, and we will bring in business from outside to the kampung.”
IWFCI was formed in Melbourne, Australia, in 1992.
It has a global business network in 12 countries, including the United States, Russia, Australia, China, Singapore and South Korea.