Earning a living: Single mother Chan Ai Tee took over her sister's kuih stall on Jalan Van Praagh, George Town. - CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
ABOUT a year ago, single mother Amida Sd Mohammad Abdullah began baking bread, cakes and cookies to provide for her family.
Her baked goods sold so well that she struggled to keep up with demand.
When Penang social development, welfare and non-Islamic religious affairs committee chairman Lim Siew Khim learned of Amida’s situation, she provided a new oven, mixer, blender and steamer to enable Amida to scale up operations at her home in Jelutong.
Amida is excited and plans to take more orders, especially for her signature Apam Red Velvet, for Hari Raya Aidilfitri next year.
“I can now scale up my kuih and cake business. I feel a renewed sense of confidence that this will improve my life and also provide a better future for my daughters,” she said after receiving the equipment at Lim’s Jelutong service centre.
Amida is a survivor of domestic violence. Despite sustaining serious spinal cord injuries that have left her unable to sit or stand for long periods or lift heavy items, she has persevered.
Amida (left) receiving the baking equipment from Lim at her service centre in Jalan Ahmad Nor, Jelutong. — Photos: CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
Her eldest daughter is in university while her youngest daughter, 15, helps her with baking and other tasks.
Amida also aims to pay it forward, saying, “I want to help other single mothers who have faced the same struggles I did.”
A fighting chance
Chan Ai Tee fled her abusive husband a few times after her third child was born in 2010.
Each time, she returned for the sake of her children, hoping things would improve.
Eventually, she left for good and went as far away as Cameron Highlands in Pahang, but her husband hounded her.
A doctor referred Chan to the Women’s Centre for Change (WCC) in Penang.
There, she met Lim, who rented a home for her and covered expenses for her children’s school fees and tuition.
Thanks to Lim’s support, Chan found the strength to rebuild her life.
Chan has taken over her sister’s food business in George Town, selling deep-fried items like spring rolls and cekodok (banana fritters).
She also feels confident in her ability to provide for her family.
“My children are older now, so I don’t worry as much as I used to.
“I am finally able to live with peace of mind,” said Chan, whose three children are aged 19, 17 and 14.
Hajar (second from left) preparing festive cookies at PPR Jalan Sungai Pinang in George Town. — Filepic
Hajar Babjan, a mother of five, has been a single parent for the past 25 years.
Six years ago, she moved into public housing flats PPR Jalan Sungai and enrolled in a training programme at a bakery established by Lim on the ground floor.
“A few of us were taught how to make buns such as for hot dog and with red bean filling,” said Hajar, whose children are aged between 28 and 43.
“At that time, I was just selling some kuih and not making much.
“When my second child was diagnosed with kidney problems and required dialysis three times a week, the weekly cost of RM280 was insurmountable.”
Hajar expressed gratitude for the opportunity to use the bakery to bake buns and make kuih.
With Lim’s support, she has been able to sell kuih at state events and functions, which provided her a much-needed income boost.
“I was also fortunate to secure a tender to operate a school canteen, where I sold kuih in addition to food and drinks,” Hajar said.
Hajar not only improved her income through baking but also found a way to balance work with caring for her family, especially her sick child.
Chan frying up a fresh batch of goodies at her stall in Jalan Van Praagh, Penang.
Going the extra mile
After her husband left her, cleaner R. Saroja struggled to provide for her three young children on her meagre monthly salary of RM500.
She sought help from the state government for her children’s education.
“I only wanted help for my children’s schooling expenses but Lim helped me out with much more.
“Besides getting help with books, uniforms and school bags, Lim also helped me with household items, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic as well as festive seasons.
“I am grateful to the state government and Lim, who visits my family often. I know that I can approach her for help at any time,” Saroja said.
Transforming lives
Even before taking on the welfare portfolio last year, Lim had been a steadfast advocate for single mothers.
“I have always encouraged single mothers not to give up,” she said.
“As long as they have the courage to step forward and work hard, they can carve their own path to success.”
Lim, who has been Sungai Pinang assemblyman since 2013, said there had been efforts to support single mothers through various collaborations.
Among them was an initiative by Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC) during the Covid-19 movement control order.
“Our aim was to help single mothers generate income with their cooking skills.
“We wanted them to not only be able to sustain themselves but also thrive during that challenging time,” said Lim, who is programme adviser for #SokongBizIbuTunggal.The programme was also open to women whose spouses were ill or affected economically due to the pandemic.
Lim said single mothers were now included in broader programmes such as Penang Women Entrepreneurs Mentoring Programme and Wanita Jana Rezeki.
These programmes encourage single mothers to explore entrepreneurial opportunities, with non-governmental organisations also involved to help integrate them into these initiatives.
Within her constituency, Lim has provided financial aid to single mothers to help them start small businesses.
This includes supplying raw materials and cooking equipment, which significantly assists those looking to gain financial independence through entrepreneurship.
Lim said federal programmes like those by National Population and Family Development Board (LPPKN) and Women’s Development Department (JPW) had played a key role in empowering single mothers in Penang.
“JPW’s Laman Wanita initiative, for example, has provided training in income-generating activities such as crafting.
“Through this programme, 160 participants received training in the care economy, with 30 women achieving a 50% increase in income.
“LPPKN’s Smart Belanja module, while broader in scope, also offers single mothers valuable financial management guidance,” she said.
Lim is focused on supporting more single mothers by expanding collaborations with these federal programmes and ensuring more women in Penang had access to such opportunities.
She also remains committed to empowering them through practical training, financial aid, and entrepreneurial support, helping them build sustainable livelihoods.
From January to October, the state government gave out RM1.1mil through the Single Mother Assistance Programme to 10,753 registered recipients under the i-Sejahtera initiative, said Lim.
She encourages victims of domestic violence to seek support through the Women’s Service Centre (PPW), a collaboration between WCC and Penang government.
PPW provides assistance to women and children in crisis, offering resources and guidance.
It also works to raise awareness about violence against women in Penang and the northern states.
“This initiative plays a key role in providing a safe space for victims and ensuring they receive the help they need to rebuild their lives,” Lim said.
Those needing support can call Penang WCC at 011-3108 4001 or 016-428 7265 or the Seberang Perai WCC or PPW at 016-439 0698 or 016-418 0342.
Messages can also be sent via Whatsapp at 016-448 0342 or emailed to wcc@wccpenang.org
Counselling is available in Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil.
