Entrepreneurship
At 60, Age is not a Barrier for Online Marketing
Unlike urban ladies who would probably retire and play with their grandchildren, those in remote, rural areas are usually still active working in farms, working as small traders or engaged in some form of activities. One such story is about Junia Andang, a 60-year-old widow in Pekan Matunggong in Sabah. She used to sell vegetables at the local market. While tending her stall, whenever she had some spare time, she also weaved on a small scale the traditional fabric of the Rungus people, the largest ethnic group in the area.The traditional fabric with the distinctive pattern of the Rungus are made into costumes such as pinakol (clothing), sandang (sash) and titinbok (headgear), which are worn during ceremonies and events such as weddings and the harvest festival.
The local market happens to be located next to the Celcom Internet Centre at Pekan Matunggong. In Junia’s mind, computers at the internet centre are mainly for children to play games or watch movies. One day, Junia received an invitation to drop by the centre from its manager Nor Azurah, 28, who holds a degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Universiti Malaysia Sabah. Nor Azurah believed that seniors like Junia can benefit greatly by becoming computer literate. At the centre, Junia was introduced to the digital literacy and entrepreneurship programmes conducted there. Initially, she was overwhelmed by what she saw and heard but with some gentle persuasion, she agreed to enrol herself as a member.
A New Digital Experience
After introducing Junia to computer basics, the internet centre’s team helped Junia set up her Facebook page and also an email account. She attended the entrepreneurship programme to have an understanding about how the computer and internet can help one in business; for research on designs and market, for communications and also as a channel to promote and sell products. Very soon, Junia becomes a regular visitor to the centre where she could check and update her Facebook page.
Getting Full-time Weaving
Junia began getting inquiries from the local community as well as those from her nearby districts. Orders started to pour in. Now, you will not see her around the market as much. Instead one would be more likely to find Junia at her home tending her loom to weave the fabric that is now in high demand. With increasing orders, she gets her sister’s assistance to weave, in order to fulfil the large amount of orders. Accessories like woven beads for Rungus sash, ornaments from shells, and metal bracelets and bells that form the complete Rungus traditional attire are now also offered. Junia is now a very happy lady who has come a long way from an initial RM250 in monthly sales to a regular monthly sale of RM2,000.
