PENANG, May 15, 2013 - The experience of seeing her hard working mother make traditional kuih from midnight until the early hours inspired a single mother to change her way of working for the better.

The individual, Che Kamsaini Ridzuan said that she would not miss the opportunity to learn recipes such as spiral curry puff, cucur badak, samosa, and spring rolls from her mother who was famous for her skills in making kuih.

She said that when she saw how her mother had to forgo sleep to carry out her task, it made Che Kamsaini think about going for a change and learn how to make kuih and freeze them.

“I learned from experience and do not want to stay up late nights and waking up at 4 am in the morning to fry the kuih. Therefore, I followed current developments and learned the methods of preparing frozen food.

“In that way I do not have to stay up at night and is able to work normal hours from 9 am to 5 pm. I also do not use any artificial ingredients and thus the original flavour of the kuih are preserved after being frozen,'' she said.

She said this when met at the Single Mothers Entrepreneurship Day programme which was held at Anjung Budi, here today.

A total of nine single mothers organised stalls selling products such as food, health products, handicrafts, and garments were opened to the public.

Besides her, another single mother from Balik Pulau, Juriah Semad, said that she ventured into traditional massage because she felt not many people in the community were into the business, especially among the younger generation.

She said that she was particularly skillful in traditional massage for women, infant massage, and managing post-natal confinement for mothers.

“I have also expanded my food business and is prepared to receive orders for catering and satay,” she said, adding that she does not make excuses as a single mother for not trying to generate her own income.

In the meantime, the Single Mothers Entrepreneurship Day programme was organised by the Women's Development Research Centre (KANITA) which aims to promote the single mother entrepreneurs and their products, and help them to have additional income by creating business opportunities for them. -- Text: Marziana Mohamed Alias/Photo & Translation: Yong Check Yoon