A Ramadan bazaar trader in Gua Musang, Kelantan, has proven that with determination, anything is possible.
Muhamad Saiful Salleh, 35, who lost his left arm 15 years ago due to an infection, used culinary abilities he learned at a skills institute in Bangi, Selangor, to earn a living and support his family.
The Sungai Kepa native, adept at cooking and wrapping food for his customers with just one hand, said he had never let his disability limit his capability.
Saiful frying kuey teow which he sells at a Ramadan bazaar in Gua Musang. He says he never lets his disability limit his capability. — Bernama
“I lost my left arm due to a bacterial infection in the bone joint after an injury while playing football in 2009,” he told Bernama.
He said he underwent surgery to amputate his diseased arm at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II in Kota Baru when he was 20.
After undergoing several rehabilitation treatments at the hospital, he decided to start a food business.
He kept improving his work output until he is now able to cook up to 40kg of noodles daily, to be sold during Ramadan.
His food, he said, would often be sold out within 10 minutes.
The youngest of three siblings, Muhamad Saiful said he had no trouble adapting to performing tasks in spite of his condition.
“By being self-employed, I have managed to support my family and bought a vehicle for personal use and another vehicle for business,” he added.
Muhamad Saiful, whose wife is expecting their first child, expanded his small business by also selling drinks and dates with the help of four workers.
