Mothers learning to bake cookies during the training organised by MyPJ at the Pusat Aktiviti Komuniti Prihatin Desa Mentari in Petaling Jaya.
THE adage “teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”appears to be the best solution to solve urban poverty.
This was the approach MyPj, a coalition of Petaling Jaya residents associations and Rukun Tetangga, adopted to help 10 mothers from the B40 category at the Desa Mentari low-cost flats in Petaling Jaya.
They were taught how to bake cookies for a living.
Chairman Jeffrey Phang roped in volunteer Stephanie Hu, 34, to conduct the training at the Pusat Aktiviti Komuniti Prihatin Desa Mentari.
“I saw how some of them, despite the challenges they face such as raising ill children, could still laugh and be happy when immersed in baking, ” said Hu.
She was happy to share her recipes and techniques with these underprivileged mothers as she believes in empowerment.
“They are motivated and creative.
“Many of their spouses have lost their jobs and baking gives them additional skills with which to make money, ” she said.
Meanwhile, Clement Chen teaches coding to the children between the ages of 11 and 12.
“We feel this is something important.
“I know of some children who attended in the past but stopped because they saw no use for it.
“I try to make learning coding fun.
“It will boost their interest in maths and science, ” said Chen.
Phang said MyPj has started a soup kitchen which offers about 100 pax of food during weekends to residents at the flats.
“We hope the authorities such as the Petaling Jaya City Council will work alongside us.
“We could provide a safer and more harmonious environment for these residents together, ” he said.
Those interested in ordering the Hari Raya cookies can call 011-588 69879.
