The Khadijah Artisans Mentoring Program aims to change this situation by providing women artisans from the low-income category with the guidance they need to succeed while helping them widen the distribution channels for the products they produce.
The seven-month programme is a collaboration between Khadijah International Waqf (L) Foundation (KIWF) and Persatuan Pembangunan Artisans (PPA), an NGO that helps local artisans market their products.
So far, 26 women have participated in the programme that commenced this month.
“Some are widows and divorcees while others have husbands who are retired from their jobs. They are in their 40s, on average,” said Rohani Mohd Shahir, chairman of KIWF, adding that most of them are mothers.
Jade Lee, PPA’s chairperson, added that the women, who live in rural areas in the Klang Valley and the outskirts of Seremban, are unable to leave their homes to work as they are the primary caregivers of their children.
Open to both Muslims and non-Muslims, these women were selected by KIWF. PPA, meanwhile, lends its marketing know-how.
Currently, some of the products produced by these women are available at PPA’s outlet in Berjaya Times Square. In the future, these products will be introduced at its Pavilion Kuala Lumpur outlet and on the online shopping platform, Shopee.
With many tourists visiting these outlets, it’s a wonderful opportunity for the artisans to expand their reach beyond Malaysians.
These products include embroidered, crotchet and eco-print bags as well as tailored batik pouches. One of the artisans also handcrafts “bunga manggar,” that can be used as a brooch.
Rohani and Lee who each have over four decades of experience in the finance industry, are also approaching banks to secure financing for the artisans.
The programme consists of one-to-one sessions with a number of mentors. These include Lee herself, as well as Wan Maimun Wan Abdullah, Dr Harlina Siraj, Nor Aini Kamaruddin and Roszie Amir, who between them, have a wealth of experience in construction, medicine, training and oil and gas.
Lee, 67, mentors the women on how to commercialise their products. “We use a 10-point checklist with questions such as: do the products appeal to the target market? Does it have quality? What should the packaging be like?” she explained.
The programme also provides the artisans with a chance to contribute to society as 3% of their sales will be channelled as waqf contributions to KIWF.
Waqf is a traditional Islamic concept that refers to the act of dedicating a sum of money or property to be used for specific charitable or religious purposes in perpetuity.
Rohani, 65, said the funds will go towards educational programmes for marginalised children, and help cover the cost of running the Khadijah Transit Home, which is temporary housing for families whose children undergo medical treatment.
More importantly, through the programme, the women have the opportunity to earn a sustainable income – right from the homes.
Drawing from the example of PPA, Lee said: “The top artisan takes home about RM7,000 to RM8,000 a month. Others earn between RM1,000 to RM4,000. It’s sustainable and can help them plan their lives.”
Rohani added: “We really have to work hard so their products gain visibility and get sold because they’re doing such a good job. I hope that we will have at least 1,000 women over the next few years, and I am willing to go all the way.”
If you are interested to be a part of this programme or know of someone who is a good fit, contact Khadijah International Waqf (L) Foundation at 012-423 0442 or email [email protected].