AYER KUNING ENTREPRENEURS: FROM HOUSEWIVES TO BUSINESSWOMEN

By Marfika Adnan Haris Fadzilah

TAPAH, April 17 (Bernama) -- In the hope of providing better lives for their families, three housewives from the Ayer Kuning state constituency have ventured into entrepreneurship to build a better future.

Their dreams are becoming a reality thanks to the support of community development programmes organised by the National Information Dissemination Centre (NADI) in Ayer Kuning.

Food vendor Nurrul Hidayah Abd Rahim, 38, said her participation in various training programmes and courses organised by NADI over the past year has transformed her life from a housewife into a thriving food business owner.

Nurrul Hidayah said she has effectively applied the knowledge gained from classes on business management, marketing techniques, profit and loss calculations, and utilising social media to promote her business.

"Last year, I started by selling just three food items - nasi lemak, fried noodles and noodle soup. Now, I have expanded my menu to nearly 20 items, which include spiced fried chicken, bakso and laksa," she told Bernama, adding that she now employs three workers.

The mother of three said NADI's promotion and involvement in community events also helped introduce her food stall to new customers.

"The presence of NADI in our neighbourhood has simplified family management. Now, housewives have the opportunity to contribute to the household economy," she added.

Small-scale bread seller Nurfarihin Bakar, 35, joined the “Mahir Masak” lifelong learning programme last December to expand her culinary knowledge and creativity.

"I've always wanted to run a business and learn to make pastries, but my responsibilities as a housewife held me back. However, NADI provided me the opportunity, as the classes are very flexible and fit into my free time," she said.

She added that the weekly programme will conclude this May, and participants will receive a Level One Malaysian Skills Certificate, making it a meaningful achievement despite their household commitments.

For Sur'aatun Shazaa Shafaruddin, 39, participating in the “Mahir Masak” and “Mahir Baiki Gajet” programmes has not only been a new experience but also allowed her to generate her own income.

"I initially joined the programme just for fun, but now I can take orders for nasi lemak, which helps lighten my husband's burden.

"As for gadget repair, I'm not fully confident yet, but at least I now know how to change my phone battery myself," she said.

-- BERNAMA