Workshop participants preparing a fresh batch of biscuit dough.
A GROUP of women from the B40 community in Buntong, Perak, and its surrounding areas are putting to good use baking skills learned from a non-governmental (NGO) initiative by venturing into business.
The women, including a few single mothers, participated in the Perak Women for Women Society (PWW) Baking Studio session where participants are taught baking techniques to make delectable treats that are good for sale.
As a result, a number of them have become entrepreneurs and are earning extra income.
Classes for small fee
Assistant accountant Nor Juliana Othman, 39, only had basic baking knowledge prior to joining the class.
“I used to bake for my family and friends and the result was often not up to expectations.
“Sometimes the cakes turned out well and sometimes they did not because I didn’t know the proper techniques.
“I have now learned baking techniques such as controlling oven temperature and using the right equipment. These have made a huge difference in the finished product,” she added.
Nor Juliana, who lives at the Taman Harmoni Buntong flats, is now promoting her baked goods online and receiving orders.
“Butter cakes and brownies are my signature items.
“I have plans to grow the business further but for now, I am just focusing on promoting my baked goods on social media,” she said, adding that she hopes to open a bakery in the future.
10 underprivileged students are benefitting from IT classes held at a cabin at Taman Harmoni Buntong flats.
The baking class, a collaboration between PWW and Taman Harmoni Buntong Flats Rukun Tetangga (RT), started in September last year.
Since then, there have been three groups with a total of 24 women taking part for a nominal fee of RM50 each.
The baking class, which takes place at the flats’ community hall on Sundays between 3pm and 6pm, runs on 10 modules.
Besides womenfolk from the flats, there are participants from neighbouring areas such as Cherry Park, Taman Meru and First Garden.
Nor Juliana said she learned about the baking class through a community WhatsApp group.
“I have been wanting to join such classes but the fees are usually quite expensive, sometimes it can cost RM300.
“So, I immediately signed up (for the affordable classes).
“I am happy because the classes are over the weekends and it is convenient for a working woman like myself,” she said.
The IT class takes place in a cabin at Taman Harmoni flats in Buntong.
Housewife K. Thilagam, 53, from Kampung Jelapang Jaya, said her baking skills improved as a result of attending the classes.
Thilagam, who cooks and bakes for family and friends, said she had learned how to make a few more delectable items from the class.
“Before joining the class, I knew how to make doughnuts, butter cake and traditional Malay kuih like lompang and seri muka.
“Now I know how to make 3D jelly cakes,” she said.
Thilagam who also sells her cakes and kuih, said she had been getting more orders upon completing her lessons.
“My baking skills have improved a lot, and I am getting more orders than before,” she said.
“I once had an order for 500 doughnuts for a private event at the Perak Turf Club.
“Recently I got orders for brownies and cheese tarts for a baby shower, besides butter cakes and biscuits for the upcoming Deepavali celebrations,” said Thilagam.
Jayandthi preparing labels for the biscuit containers.
Meanwhile, S. Jayandthi, 45, is happy that she can now bake.
“I didn’t know how to bake before this, but I have learned a lot since taking up this baking lesson.
“In August, I received an order for 25 bombolonis (Italian doughnuts) for an event through PWW, and received positive feedback,” said Jayandthi, who is currently unemployed.
“The baking class has been really helpful and I hope to grow my business over time.
“I plan to sell my baked items for festive seasons in the next few years,” she added.
Housewife, Wan Nor Roslinda Wan Nor Rusli, 38, said the baking class was beneficial as it helped her occupy her time while developing her skills.
“I was keen on baking, but I never had proper guidance or opportunities as baking classes elsewhere are expensive.
“So, instead of doing nothing at home, I enrolled for this class to widen my knowledge,” she said.
Although she has not ventured into starting a business yet, Wan Nor Roslinda does have plans to get additional income from baking in the future.
“For now, I am still honing my skills, but if the opportunity presents itself, I will definitely consider taking orders,” she said.
Salawati adding toppings to the biscuits.
Single mother Salawati Yahya, 45, shared how the initiative helped her learn new things.
More than just learning about baking techniques, Salawati discovered that baking helped her overcome her fear and anxiety.
“I used to be timid and nervous, but now, through baking, I feel a lot more confident.
“I am still learning and hope to enhance my skills so that I can start my own business,” she added.
G. Umadevy, 50, who works at a furniture shop in Lahat, said she had more confidence since taking up baking.
“I joined the class to learn how to bake biscuits, cakes and buns.
“After some dialogue sessions, I was asked to make muruku for a community event at the flats.
“I was reluctant at first but I gave it a go.
“The teachers and the programme encouraged me to make good use of the skills I already have,” she said.
A variety of baked treats prepared by the B40 bakers for an event. — Courtesy photo
Facilitating growth
PWW committee member Liza Zainudin, 50, said the NGO was spurred by an interest to help empower underprivileged women learn baking as a skill so they could set up their own business.
“We started this with the aim of helping women because we knew baking could be a way for them to generate extra income.
“When word of PWW’s baking class spread, many showed up. However, we could only accommodate eight participants per batch,” she said.
Liza said participants were required to undergo an interview session and those showing enthusiasm and commitment were prioritised.
“We don’t want people to come, watch, take away and leave. We want energetic individuals who are keen to learn.
“Participants, who are mostly housewives, are required to get typhoid jabs. We want quality candidates over quantity,” she added.
Liza, who is the facilitator, said she enjoyed imparting her knowledge to participants.
“I want the best for them so they can start their own business,” she said.
In addition to regular classes, she said a special baking team called “Dough Re-Mi” was formed.
The team, she elaborated, comprised selected participants from all the three batches and were tasked with handling orders for special events.
“The team recently prepared 300 hampers for a Deepavali event on Oct 19 to be distributed to underprivileged families.
“The hampers had food items like fried mee hoon, curry puffs and a few other treats that were prepared at the baking studio,” she said.
Liza said there were plans to expand the baking studio.
“We want to get more equipment, including a gas stove so that we can prepare our food on-site during events.
“We also aim to set up a stall offering freshly cooked meals to the public,” she said.
Other PWW initiatives
Taman Harmoni Buntong Flats RT chairman Muhammad Faiz Abdullah said the collaboration with PWW had helped create opportunities for women to develop skills and start their own businesses.
“Most of them never knew that they could make money from baking, but a number of them are entrepreneurs now,” he said, adding that he had been working with PWW since the Covid-19 pandemic by assisting the NGO with grocery distribution efforts at the flats.
Muhammad Faiz says PWW has helped open up opportunities for women to develop their skills and start their own business.
Apart from the baking class, Muhammad Faiz said PWW had also introduced an IT class for underprivileged children aged 10 to 15 at the flats.
He said the children learn basic computer skills through the “Computer Lab, Celik IT” programme, held at a cabin nearby, every Saturday at 3.30pm.
“The children are really enjoying it. They are learning the basics and PWW is also providing laptops and Internet access for them, so they just need to show up,” he said.
Muhammad Faiz said his aim was for Taman Harmoni Buntong Flats to be recognised as the best flats community in Perak, by organising various programmes to help residents there.
Looking ahead, he is planning to introduce a community mushroom farming project to grow the fungi in a greenhouse.
Harvested mushrooms, he said, would then be processed into products like keropok to create an additional source of income for residents.
“Not only do I want to uplift residents’ livelihood at the flats, I also want to create a model of success that can be replicated in other flats across Perak,” he said.
“Such beneficial programmes should be implemented in other areas as well.
“Our goal is for people to come here, learn something new and then use those skills to improve their lives,” said Muhammad Faiz.PWW president S. Sumathi said funds had been raised to buy 10 laptops for the IT class.
“Now, more children can access online learning materials, educational platforms and resources that can supplement their education in schools.
“We hope to make learning more engaging and diverse under the guidance of our volunteer teachers,” she said.
“PWW aims to empower these children so that they do not get left behind in the digital age.
“Embracing digital inclusion means bridging the gap. It empowers everyone, especially underprivileged children to have access to information, education and opportunities,” said Sumathi.
