Supporting single parents
Maxis helps an NGO supporting single parents set up its e-commerce site to generate more revenue for their activities.
FOR years now, NGO Parents Without Partners (PWP) has been able to fund their activities from sales at their charity shops, Jumble Station, in USJ1, Subang Jaya and at Jaya One, Petaling Jaya.
PWP was set up in 2007 to improve the welfare of economically disadvantaged single parents and legal guardians. Since its inception, it has helped about 200 single parent families through counselling, empowerment talks, financial aid and skill training.
PWP’s social coordinator Jaya B knew it was time to jump on the e-commerce bandwagon to expand their clientale as more people are shopping online.
“We have always wanted to step up our business at Jumble Station and reach out to more people through an online platform. However, we did not have the extra capital or expertise to set up an online store,” says Jaya, who was intimidated at the idea of setting up an e-commerce store.
Her team of two also did not know how to manage an online business.
So, they were receptive when telecommunications company Maxis stepped in to offer PWP their expertise and resources.
Maxis recently launched its ONEder Parent campaign, a CSR project that embraces a more inclusive idea of parenthood by paying tribute to single parents – both mothers and fathers.
The campaign was launched last month in conjunction with Mother’s Day on May 13 and Father’s Day, celebrated on June 17.
Maxis was drawn to PWP’s commitment to supporting disadvantaged single parents as they work through periods of crisis towards greater strength and independence.
“We wanted to celebrate Mother’s Day and Father’s Day this year by recognising that families come in different forms and sizes. This includes single parent families where, often, one parent is doing double duty to meet the needs of their child or children,” says Maxis head of business development Senthil Balan Danapalan.
Maxis utilised its newly launched e-commerce solution, designed for SMEs as a one-stop solution to drive e-commerce revenues within and outside Malaysia.
Senthil and his team helped PWP establish, curate and organise Jumble Station’s shopping website, and also trained Jaya and her colleagues to set up a digital product library.
Jaya also learnt how to manage orders via tracked courier services.
Maxis also provided PWP with hosting, maintenance and support services for a year.
Jaya says Maxis’ help was timely, calling it a blessing.
“We are greenhorns when it comes to running an online business. There is a large scope in e-commerce, ranging from online purchasing to packaging and posting.
“We also had to learn how to set up e-commerce promotion, create awareness and even photography. Thankfully, the training, assistance and guidance provided by Maxis have helped us tremendously,” adds Jaya who acquired new skills and knowledge under Maxis’ tutelage.
At Jumble Station shops, customers can purchase pre-loved items donated by the public. Items range from toys, books, electrical items, jewellery and clothes.
Since the Jumble Station’s e-shop (jumblestation.com.my) was launched last month, Jaya and her team have managed to catalogue about 100 items online. These items – priced at RM15 and above – include pre-loved items as well as brand new things like cloth bags and handmade traditional dolls.
Since going online three weeks ago, Jumble Station’s brand new e-commerce site has received more than 6,000 visitors.
“We believe all this has boosted awareness of PWP’s cause and increased the public’s appreciation of the dedication and sacrifices of single mothers and fathers everywhere. In the long term, we hope that the ONEder Parent campaign lays a strong foundation in e-commerce and online marketing for the PWP team,” says Senthil.
Maxis also did a donation drive among its staff, gathering a truckload of pre-owned items for sale at PWP’s Jumble Station.
“We hope Jumble Station’s e-store will become an online marketplace where single parents can securely market their products and unique creations,” adds Senthil.
The Jumble Station e-commerce site could be a platform for PWP’s enterprising single parents to market to showcase their skills, and generate income through sales. Visit Jumble Station’s e-store at jumblestation.com.my, and enjoy discounts of 15% for handmade goods and 10% for preloved items.