THE proverb, “give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”, best describes the ‘Donate Your Idea’ workshop organised for the disabled community.
The pilot project by the Malaysian Foundation for Innovation (YIM) and social enterprise startup Biji-Biji Initiative, created a channel to empower the disabled to embark on a sustainable livelihood.
The workshop’s co-organiser Rashvin Pal Singh said the knowledge transfer workshop helped to promote creativity among the community.
“The workshop enables them to learn skills for sustainable living and at the same time turn recyclable material into useful items.
“These young adults are able to create different products. Biji-Biji hopes that through this programme, we can tap into their skills and get retailers to buy their products,” he said.
A total of 20 members from Hearts of Generating Opportunity for Learning Disability (Gold) Foundation, comprising children with learning disabilities, single mothers and from the Rohingya community, took part in the one-day workshop held at Skills Technical Innovation College, Kuala Lumpur.
They were trained to make paper bags and multi-purpose bags designed by Biji-Biji that could also be used as a vertical garden tool using canvas and promotional bunting and banners.
The foundation’s vice-president Juairiah Johari said she was delighted that Gold members were given a chance to learn about sustainable living.
“Some of them are really creative. All they need is a chance,” she said.
YIM chief operating officer Muhammad Aziph Datuk Mustapha said the foundation would give the multi-purpose bags as door gifts to the World Innovation Forum - Kuala Lumpur delegates.
“We intend to give out 5,000 bags during the forum which will be held from Nov 12 to 14 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre,” he said.
