MAIPk aid transforms woman into kuih entrepreneur

Azila Md. Ali, a 46-year-old mother of five, found a new path to financial stability through entrepreneurship after facing hardship. Her journey began nearly a decade ago when she and her husband decided to sell food and kuih from a roadside stall to support their family, as other income sources were scarce.

Early in their venture, the couple struggled with insufficient working capital. Their situation worsened dramatically when a heavy rainstorm destroyed their stall, tables, and unsold products, a memory that still haunts Azila. This setback could have ended their dreams, but they persevered.

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When we first started, we lacked working capital. The situation worsened when the tent, tables, and products were badly damaged by the rain.

In 2019, Azila's life took a turn when she participated in an economic empowerment program by the Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Perak (MAIPk). This program provided her with essential business knowledge, guidance, and crucial equipment. The initiative aligns with Perak Sejahtera 2030's goal of human capital development and lifelong learning, aiming to lift households out of poverty through the 'One Family, One Entrepreneur' vision.

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The assistance allowed me to increase the number of products sold. I used this help to the best of my ability. Now, my average sales reach over RM500 a week.

With the support from MAIPk, Azila significantly expanded her product offerings, which now include karipap pusing, various cheesecakes, apam, roti jala, and catering services. Her business now generates an average of over RM500 per week. Previously, she worked as a preschool teacher earning RM900 monthly before quitting to focus on her kuih business. Her husband, who worked in construction, had to stop due to a work-related injury, leading them to run the business together.

Azila is grateful for the opportunity and is determined to grow her business further. She dreams of establishing a small factory or workshop to meet the demand for her frozen karipap pusing and other products. She also aspires to use this facility as a hub for sharing her culinary skills through cooking classes for the local community and providing employment to local youth.

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I also intend to make the workshop a platform to share knowledge by holding cooking classes for the surrounding Kuala Kangsar village community and hiring local children to work.