KUCHING: The YKABpreneur Project, an initiative by the Al Bait Leadership Foundation (YKAB), serves as a platform to empower the asnaf community with skills to help in generating sustainable income.
The project is part of Akademi Latihan Insan’s (ALI) effort to provide short-term leadership training aimed at breaking the poverty cycle, through marketing biscuit-based and dry food products made by its alumni.
According to YKAB chairman, Datuk Abang Mohd Shibli Abang Nailie, the project’s primary objective is to create income-generating opportunities for ALI alumni during Ramadan and Eid preparations.
Additionally, it also helps the alumni to expand their product markets and gain recognition, particularly among Kuching residents.
Thirteen ALI alumni vendors have showcased their food products at the kiosk at Acrum Tent, Majma Mall here.
Participant Dayang Yati said the intensive two-days training focusing on biscuit-making has been an enriching experience.
“Prior to the two-days training, we have undergone another training also focused on making biscuits. It has allowed us to not only learn how to make biscuits, but also how to package and market them,” said the 37-years-old entrepreneur.
Maya Nursalinawati, another participant, said she has gained new knowledge about the business world through the training, and hoped for the continuation of the programme in the future.
Meanwhile, Rindu Arbig, a 48-years-old entrepreneur highlighted the project’s support of free rental for the kiosk.
“By offering free rent, we are able to concentrate on selling the cookies we made. This arrangement has been helpful as it allows us to allocate our resources on distribution and marketing, which has increase our reach and sales,” she said.
Similarly, Hazalina Anwar, a 29-years-old expressed hope for the project’s continuation to provide opportunity and empower the ansaf community to actively seek opportunities to generate income.
