KUALA KUBU BARU: She had no job, no source of income and no clear direction forward when her husband, a handyman and the sole breadwinner of their family, died in an accident.
Che Norzita Mohamad Zain was left to pick up the pieces on her own.
Faced with the overwhelming task of supporting her family, including her youngest child, who was pursuing a diploma at a vocational college, the 54-year-old resident of Felda Soeharto found herself facing an uncertain future.
“I didn’t know what to do, as I had no job, but I wanted to try my luck,” Che Norzita recalls.
She visited Nadi Felda Soeharto for a community event last year, where an employee introduced her to Nadi Mahir Jahit, a skills empowerment programme under the National Information Dissemination Centre (Nadi) initiative.
This introduction marked a turning point in her life.
Nadi serves as a vital local community hub established by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) under the Universal Service Provision (USP) programme.
Its initiatives are designed to uplift rural, underserved and low-income communities.
Hoping to rebuild her life, Che Norzita enrolled in a six-month programme.
“At first, I had no sewing skills,” she admits. “The instructor taught me everything, from operating a sewing machine to cutting fabric and designing patterns.”
Her instructor, 59-year-old Noor Azwa Abu Bakar, guided her through each step of the learning process.
A veteran educator with 31 years of experience at the Community Development Department (Kemas) workshop in Sungai Tengi, Noor Azwa taught 15 women this year.
“When I started, I made mistakes and my stitching wasn’t neat at all,” Che Norzita shares.
“Whenever I struggled, my instructor kept encouraging me. She told me to keep trying until I succeeded.”
Noor Azwa watched her student’s transformation with deep emotion. “When she first came to me, she had no real sewing skills, just a basic idea,” Noor Azwa says tearfully.
“Seeing her now, able to sew independently, makes me so emotional. She fought so hard to survive and support her family, especially to keep her youngest child in college. I am so proud to see her stand on her own two feet.”
Starting with a simple apron, Che Norzita progressed through practical lessons to master a range of garments and household items, including traditional baju kurung, baju kurung moden, kebaya, tudung, trousers, palazzo pants and curtains. She also acquired technical skills, such as sewing zips neatly.
Her growing confidence paid off when Kemas instructors invited her to participate in a Selangor state-level sewing competition alongside 19 other participants, many of whom were younger, trained tailors.
Given just four hours to complete a traditional baju kurung, Che Norzita secured second place and a RM250 cash prize.
“I was completely shocked, deeply moved and immensely proud,” she says. “In fact, the baju kurung I am wearing today is the very one I made during my training at Nadi Felda Soeharto.”
“Without the sewing skills I gained through the Nadi Mahir Jahit programme, life would have been very difficult for me.”
Today, Che Norzita runs a home-based tailoring business. Her first order was for 20 baju kurung, which soon grew to more than 100 pieces during the Hari Raya season and community feasts (kenduri). She also receives requests for clothing alterations.
With monthly earnings reaching RM2,000 or more during peak seasons, she now has to turn down orders when demand exceeds her capacity.
“Now, I earn my own income and can support my family comfortably,” Che Norzita says. “I want to sincerely thank MCMC and Nadi Felda Soeharto for introducing this programme. It is a lifeline for single mothers and low-income families, giving us the opportunity to work, become independent and achieve our aspirations.
Empowering communities
Che Norzita’s story is one of many across the country. To date, 348,084 community members have benefited from Nadi Mahir initiatives.
The programme continues to drive economic empowerment across Malaysia:
> 132 individuals have established income-generating opportunities as school uniform tailors nationwide through the Nadi Mahir Jahit Alumni programme;
> 15 experienced participants have received support to strengthen and expand their existing sewing businesses;
> Three participants with no prior sewing experience have acquired the skills to produce handicrafts and generate income through small-scale sewing orders.
For Che Norzita, the journey has brought financial relief, restored independence and given her peace of mind.
“If you ever have the chance to learn a new skill under Nadi Mahir, take it,” she advises. “As long as we are willing, we are never too old to learn.”
Unlock new opportunities and build your skills today at www.mahir.nadi.my.
