By Nas Norziela Nasbah
SERI KEMBANGAN, Jan 20 — Some 10 participants, including those from the B40 group and single mothers, have successfully completed a six-month entrepreneurship course in sewing under the Business Coaching Programme (Grow).
Selangor Indian Entrepreneur Development (Sitham) executive officer John Fernandez said RM30,000 was allocated to implement the programme, in addition to providing equipment assistance to participants after completing the course.
“Grow is one of the efforts carried out via Yayasan Hijrah Selangor. This programme is not just a skills course; we also provide them with motivation on how to succeed in business.
“We hope participants can fully benefit from this opportunity and change their lives and their families. Practice what you have learned,” he told the press after Grow’s closing ceremony at the Sai Rani Sewing Centre today.
Meanwhile, participant P. Suguna, 39, said Grow gave her the confidence to open her own sewing shop.
“Starting just as a hobby and sewing for pleasure, who would have thought that now I would have my own business? My long-time dream has come true.
“Throughout the course, we were not only taught sewing skills but also exposed to various insights from those who have succeeded,” she said.
For single mother P. Rajes, 44, who has four children, she said she can now generate income by selling women’s casual pants, alongside her other job as a clinic assistant.
“Without the guidance of sewing teachers and Sitham, I would not have dared to sell clothes or sew to earn extra income,” she said.
Homemaker R. Kunnasunthary, 40, said she has now opened a small business to alter and sew clothes from home.
“Now I have a dedicated sewing space at home and welcome customers who want to get their clothes altered,” she said.
Sitham was launched in September 2019, focusing on committed Indian entrepreneurs to advance their businesses by providing guidance, grants, and business equipment.
Four entrepreneurship programmes are offered: entrepreneur development training, skills and manufacturing courses, Grow, and business equipment assistance programmes.
