Meet Abd Rahman, a guy with 'gold in his hands'!

En Abd Rahman at his workshop

I celebrated my birthday with something different this year. 3 of my friends and I went to a very special house in Air Hitam, Muar. Our plan is to meet a guy with 'gold in his hands', given by God to him. His name is Abd Rahman - a carver (tukang ukir). Inherited the skill from his late father, he use his skill for a living.

batang cangkul: main source of his income

From a business trip (one of us would like to order something from him), this visit had become a start of a community project for us.

The first machine while he start his business in 1999.

Some of the sample & patterns available in his workshop

Having a small workshop in his backyard and living in a small village, Abd Rahman did not know how to market his work and didn't see the bigger potential of his skill. After having some nice chat and looking to his art work, we can see how skillful and talented Abd Rahman is and we, then decided to help him in every way that we could.

Most of  the design & drawings is done by his wife

 Our first step is to publish his story in Berita Harian, in hope to get potential customers to get to know him and to market his artwork through the article.

Verbally, my friend in Berita Harian already agreed to help. The next step is for me to prepare the article and pictures and submit to Berita Harian. That, I will do within this month.

The second step is actually to help him to get any sort of financial support (from Mara etc) to grow his business.

The third step is to help him create and manage a facebook account special for his business.

and the final step is to design and sell products that we can order from him such as bedroom light, tabletop display and mirror with frames to help him sustain with his business.

I will share more about this project (including more pictures) very soon!





Update (11.05.2012): Story about Abd Rahman will be published in Berita Harian very soon. Now, we are moving to the second step! :)

Selamat Hari Raya!

 
I hope I am not too late to wish everybody Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri!. May this festive season brings us closer. I believe every Muslims out there is still very busy with open houses and Hari Raya events throughout this month.

Related to this once in a year event, here, I would like to share some of my creative ideas that I did during Hari Raya. I am not (yet) rich enough to give each of you a green money packet but sharing my ideas in this post is an 'ang pow' from me to each and everyone!

Bunga kantan (torch ginger)...

...as a decoration - why not?

Other than raya cookies, children will love puddings...

...and snacks like this. I am using cake presentation plate & a unique ice bucket to serve the puddings and the snacks to the guests.

Instead of giving ang pow pack (or green packet for Hari Raya), I gave this to my close relatives for them to start saving their money.

 Indoor games can attract kids to sit still. As for the guests, they would feel like home.

Similar to what we usually find in mini markets.

Bottled drinks ready for the guests.

Pandan sponge cake with canned peach in syrup for the Marhaban group.

Interesting & creative way of cutting the watermelons.

Serving a simple old style syrup rose with ice - a moment that everybody is waiting!

Arrange some cushions on your extra space (if you have any) to prepare for those who bring babies to your house or...

...even for the kids to take a 15 minutes nap.

Try to use these ideas during your open house & I can guarantee, they will go again to your house next year, and the year after, and many more years after..

Selamat Hari Raya everyone!