Many from the B40 group lost their jobs during the pandemic and with limited employment opportunities, many are prepared to learn new skills to move on. PPB took the opportunity to collaborate with Persatuan Seni Jahitan Kreatif Malaysia (“PSJKM”) to sponsor a 6-day intensive sewing course for 30 vulnerable women in the Klang Valley.

The sewing course was held in October 2021 in Sewing World Gallery, a training centre cum sewing gallery in USJ Subang, Petaling Jaya. The recipients had five full days of training on creative sewing - sewing pouches, handbags, aprons etc, and one full day of entrepreneurship training covering e-commerce. After completion of their training, the recipients were given a sewing machine and 6 months mentorship. They were also given an opportunity to attend an advanced sewing course worth RM6,000 at Epal Centres to learn to sew baju kurung, besides a 12-month online advanced sewing course to upskill their sewing techniques.

After the training, five out of the 30 trainees enthusiastically marketed their sewing products and earned between RM600 to RM1,200 in the month of November 2021.

Established in 2007 by Madam Fully Chye, PSJKM is an NGO that empowers the needy with creative sewing skills and entrepreneurship. PSJKM is the charity arm of the Epal Centres that provides sewing workshops to the general public. Qualified and passionate needy trainees are given job opportunities at the Epal Centres after their training with PSJKM.