Single mum sews her way to success

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SIBU: A single mother from Tekajang, Pulau Bruit, Nora Nizam, in her late 30s, is among nine women who received a sewing machine under GiatMara Centre Skilful Incubator (i-kit) programme here recently.She graduated as a sewer after completing a six-month sewing course at GiatMara centre.

State assemblyman for Nangka Datuk Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah handed over the machines to the women at the Sibu GiatMara trainees’ graduation ceremony -Electrical Wiring course and Fashion and Sewing course.

State director of Women Bureau under the Ministry of Social Development and Urbanisation, Norjanah Razali and manager of Sibu GiatMara Centre, Ahmad Daud Pitet were also present.

The handover of sewing machines was part of the programme to develop women, especially single mothers.

Throughout the state this year, 30 women were selected to participate in the programme organised by the Ministry of Community, Family and Women Development.

Nora, met after receiving her sewing machine, said she is a single mother to a child since nine years ago when she separated from her husband.

Her daughter, now 14, is studying in SMK Agama Sibu.

“My father had long passed away and my mother is living in the kampung. I am currently staying in a rented house in Sibu with my daughter and sewing is my lifeline as it helps me pay for everything — house rent, daily expenses and my daughter’s education,” she said.

“Prior to doing the i-kit course at Sibu GiatMara centre, I was a factory worker earning a monthly salary of about RM400, which is certainly not enough to make a decent living in town.

“I am thankful to the government because I am far better off economically after learning this trade,” she said.

She said she would recommend sewing and tailoring to all single mothers without proper income.

She said no doubt it is hard work, but there is money at the end of it all.

She said there are types of work that require one to work so hard but the money is not as good.

“Besides, it does not mean that we sew and the money is there. At least we can make a pair of shirt or trousers for our own family which is good enough,” she said.

Nora said she is confident that in time she will be able to have a small shop of her own to do her business.

She can be reached at second floor, No. 53 Jalan Mission Sibu.