Sabahan homemaker Rose Petrus Payak was 55 when she took a leap of religion and ventured into ginger farming.
In 2018, the Tambunan-based girl grew to become a member of the Women Support Group Tambunan Enterprise (WSGTE), a social enterprise that goals to make it doable for members to make an revenue for themselves whereas sustaining its personal continued advocacy in opposition to gender-based violence.
In the final 5 years, the mom of 9 has seen many optimistic modifications in her life. One of them is with the ability to earn an revenue.
“I’ve been a housewife for decades and always relied on my husband for money. My husband is a labourer, and we have always struggled to make ends meet.
It is important for women to work together to overcome issues such as financial freedom and oppression, says Rose (right).
“The reason I joined WSGTE was to earn my own income. I dream that my family can lead a more comfortable life,” mentioned Rose, 60, from Kampung Lubong in Tambunan.
In 2020, she signed up as a ginger farmer in WSGTE’s social enterprise, Everything Tambunan (ET). This neighborhood mission – mooted by the non-profit organisation Good Shepherd Services (GSS) and supported by Yayasan Hasanah – goals to generate revenue for Tambunan’s women ginger farmers.
Seventy-one women ginger farmers from 18 villages in Tambunan are half of ET.
These days, Rose earns near RM150 every month. It will not be huge cash to some individuals, but it surely means so much to her.
“I am grateful because I am finally earning my own income. The extra money allows me to cover some of my children’s college expenses. The money in my savings account has increased too. Slowly, I can move towards financial independence,” shared Rose, now the vp of WSGTE.
Tambunan, a valley city, is in the inside division of Sabah and at a mean altitude of 750 metres above sea stage. It is thought for its agriculture-related financial actions, together with rising ginger and different greens.
The idea of ‘collectivity’ aligns with the spirit of ‘semangat kekitaan’ (neighborhood spirit), which promotes a powerful sense of belonging amongst rural communities in Sabah, says Chin.
GSS govt director Chin Poh Choo mentioned earlier than ET happened, these women earned lower than RM30 from the gross sales of ginger-based merchandise. These days, they’ve recorded an elevated revenue of between RM60 and RM100 monthly.
“Before this project, WSGTE members depended on their spouse or family for income. Their families primarily consumed the produce from their personal farming activities; rarely were the produce sold for additional income.
“Here in Tambunan, 80% of women are involved in agriculture-related economic activities and they make up a substantial workforce in this district. Most of their work tends to remain unseen, undervalued and unrecognised even though they are primary providers of food security for their families and communities.”
In 2015, GSS arrange Koonduan Kiau Nuluh Enterprise (KKNE) or the Women of Kg Kiau Nuluh Enterprise, to generate greater revenue for women pineapple farmers in Ranau. KKNE launched its model Everything Pineapple, providing merchandise like pineapple jam, pineapple chutney and pineapple juice. The programme’s success has impressed GSS to assist B40 farmers in Tambunan.
Tambunan is famend for its fragrant ginger. Ginger slices are sundried earlier than being packed and offered on-line.
According to Chin, ET relies on the idea of “collectivism” because it entails women from 18 villages working collectively on a spread of ginger-based merchandise.
“The concept of ‘collectivity’ aligns with the spirit of ‘semangat kekitaan’ (community spirit), which promotes a strong sense of belonging among rural communities in Sabah.”
Besides this, ET offers a platform for the members to advocate in opposition to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV). A portion of the revenue is channelled in direction of actions to boost consciousness on the challenge.
“A key reason we chose Tambunan for this initiative was because of the high incidences of SGBV in the district. The labels for all the products carries an advocacy message such as “stop child marriages” and “stop violence again women.”
Everything Tambunan (ET) is a neighborhood mission that goals to generate revenue for Tambunan’s women ginger farmers.ET provides merchandise equivalent to ginger flakes, ginger powder, wild ginger floss and ginger floss.
From the begin of the mission, the manufacturing and improvement of the merchandise had been totally undertaken by the women who labored in clusters based mostly on the geographical location of their villages.
GSS’s position was to supply suggestions concerning product style, packaging and pricing, Chin defined.
“Empowering the women to take responsibility for production, including product development and quality control, strengthens their sense of ownership, responsibility and pride.
“It also motivated the members to understand market forces and to be creative in meeting the demands of buyers. Through ET, the members have successfully created a new stream of income. This has enabled them to cope better with the financial challenges faced throughout the pandemic. Importantly, ET has doubled up as a platform for our core objective: Advocating against SGBV.”
The Tambunan ginger farmers take cost of every little thing, from the manufacturing of their ginger merchandise to high quality management and packaging.
Chin added farmers had been additionally given coaching in programs like enterprise administration expertise, women empowerment and high quality administration.
Rose and lots of women farmers have benefitted tremendously from the programs. She has realized extra about monetary administration and independence and the significance of standing on one’s ft.
“It is vital for women to work together to overcome issues such as financial freedom and oppression. Women should stand up and empower others to be more independent and confident. Don’t just stand at the back. Show your talents and shine,” she says.
Check out the Tambunan women’s merchandise on shopee.com.my or their Instagram.
