24 Malaysian OKUs to showcase their skills at MAB's Entrepreneurs Day event

Saravanan makes stools using different weaving techniques like checkered weave, diagonal weave and honeycomb weave. Photos: Kanithra Naidu

Blind crafter Saravanan Velayuthan is adept at weaving and basic woodworking, and has been using his crafting skills to eke out a living for the last 25 years. 

The 54-year old's specialty lies in making nylon-woven footstools, stools and tables. 

"Weaving isn’t difficult. Anything is easy if you have the interest," says the affable Saravanan during an interview at the Malaysian Association for the Blind (MAB) in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur recently. 

Despite being blind and living with Marfan syndrome, Saravanan has spent 25 years perfecting his craft. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran

There, he was completing a few woven stools, all of which will be displayed at MAB's Entrepreneurs Day, taking place from May 31 - June 1 (10.30am - 4.30pm) at MAB, KL.

The objectives of the event include enhancing entrepreneurship and employability among persons with disabilities (OKU) and boosting their confidence to compete in the open market.

A total of 24 entrepreneurs – from the visually impaired, physically disabled, deaf and those with intellectual disabilities – will be taking part in the event. Many items will be on sale, including handcrafted and homemade products made by the OKU individuals such as handicrafts, food, beverages, snacks, light meals, accessories and personal care products.

And let's not forget Saravanan's woven stools, made using different weaving techniques like checkered weave, diagonal weave and honeycomb weave.

Events like these mean a lot to the disabled community as they offer a chance to showcase their talents and earn some extra income. Often, this group of individuals isn't given the opportunity to shine due to a lack of support or exposure.

Saravanan's stools are reasonably priced, ranging from RM130 to RM160 each. It takes him about two days to weave the design and make a stool.

"About 98% of the work is handmade. Everything is done by my hands except for the thermo-treated meranti wood. This wood undergoes a heating process, making it stronger. I live in Shah Alam, and my son has to drive me to Kajang, Selangor to buy the wood from a sawmill factory," says Johor-born Saravanan, adding that one roll of nylon thread costs about RM15.

Each handcrafted stool takes Saravanan two days to complete, using different weaving techniques. Photo: The Star/Sheela Chandran

Yet some of his customers complain that the stools are too expensive.

"Many people tend to bargain and ask for a cheaper price. It takes time to make the stool and complete the weaving, and I am blind," says Saravanan, who uses counting methods and his tactile skills to guide him through the weaving process. Saravanan also has Marfan syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects connective tissues. The disorder caused him to have problems with his eyes, which eventually led to blindness in his late 20s. 

Prior to that, he worked as a lorry driver, and he says he is blessed to have been able to see the face of his youngest daughter until she was five. After becoming blind, he signed up for a crafting course offered by MAB. From there, he eventually worked as a woodworking trainer for MAB for several years until MAB closed down its woodworking workshops due to low response from the blind.

Today, Saravanan works from his flat in Taman Alam Megah. In a month, he can make five to 10 stools, earning between RM650 and RM1,600. It is not much but he's grateful three of his four grown-up children are already independent and earning an income. 

A pillar of support, Devayani (right) assists her father with his work, from painting stools to handling logistics.His eldest daughter Devayani, 25, works as a Braille publishing clerk with MAB. His kids assist him with his work, from painting stools to handling logistics.

"When the kids were younger, it was very difficult to make ends meet as I was the sole breadwinner. Thankfully the Social Welfare Department gives me some money each month," he says.

After mastering the art of nylon weaving, Saravanan now hopes to create opportunities for other visually impaired crafters.

It is his dream to eventually have a small space where he can make his goods, and eventually train more blind people to weave. He is keen on Brickfields because it is easy for him to travel by train there, and that's the place where many from the blind community are based.

"I dream of opening a workshop where I can teach and give jobs to other blind crafters so they, too, can earn an income. But without a proper space and with so few orders, how can I help them?

"I'd love to explore weaving different surfaces like shoe racks. I can also weave traditional Indian beds called charpai. "But I live in a flat - there’s no room to work. It’s always difficult to craft these things at home, with my neighbours complaining whenever I do drilling work. "Hopefully my dreams will come true one day," he says.