Good initiative to help the underprivileged women to learn new skills and improve their livelihood.

THE first day of every life-changing event is a significant part of our lives, and so was the first day at work for Jayamary Balakrishnan, a 28-year-old orphan, as a wedding make-up artist.

Jayamary Balakrishnan spent the first 18 years of her life in an orphanage and never stepped into a school because her guardians only found her birth certificate much later in life.

Useful skill: PLRK also conducts sewing classes and can take up to 15 students at a time.

“I never had my first day in school experience and my childhood was mostly spent in the home. I was longing for an opportunity to learn something and be independant.

“Being a woman, I naturally began to have a liking for grooming. Ever since I stepped out of the home to live on my own, I have been looking to enrol in make-up and grooming courses but the fees were very expensive and I could not afford it.

“My friend suggested I apply to Pusat Latihan Rakyat Kasih (PLRK) and the rest is history,” she said.

Jayamary is one of eight underprivileged women, the second batch of students, to successfully graduate from the six-month bridal make-up course conducted at PLRK located in Taman Desaria, Petaling Jaya by Persatuan Kebajikan Kasih (PKK).

“My first customer was a bride in Malacca on Oct 28. She was my first customer and I was nervous at first, but once I started, concentration kicked in and my nervousness went away.

We did it: Jayamary (right) with fellow graduates (from left) Anusiadevi Jaimadi, Valarmathii Ketapa, Alagi Alagesu, Sagunthala Kumari Krishnan, Anthoniamma Aruldass and Manimegalai Paneerselvaom holding their certificates.

“It gives me great satisfaction to have the privilege to make a woman look ravishingly beautiful on the most important day of her life.

“My customer was happy and I was more than happy to pocket a handsome RM2,200 which is a big sum of money for me. What more can I ask for and I am doing what I love,” she said, adding that she would continue to pursue the advance bridal make-up course at the training centre.

The bridal make-up course is conducted by trainer Thevagi Segar.

“During the bridal make-up course, I teach the basic five steps in preparing an Indian bride for her big day which includes threading, facial, saree tying, hair styles and make-up. Once the essentials are mastered, the students have the option to further enhance their skill by learning henna drawing and others.

“These skills need practice to become perfect and therefore every class is conducted on a practical basis. I believe with perseverance, these women will pull through,” she said.

PKK president Peter A Dass said their members believe in the importance of education as a foundation to sustain oneself in the current economic situation.

“We started a girls’ home five years ago and found that many women especially single mothers find it difficult to make ends meet. Learning additional skills will help them to earn extra income thus improving their living standards.

“We are also currently conducting sewing classes followed by advance classes to supplement, and hope to kick off the basic computer classes early next year. We charge a nominal fee of not more than RM100 per month to instill a sense of commitment,” he said.

Guest of honour, Senator S. Ramakrishnan presented the certificates to the students.

“Learning skills is a very importance aspect in determining one’s sosio-ecomonic status.

“There are about four million legal and illegal unskilled foreigh workers, so the unskilled Malaysian will be competing with this group.

“A developed country should have 40% of skilled workers but Malaysia only has 28%, which shows that we have a long way to go.

“Bridal make-up is a ready market, so go out and make yourselves become one of the best groomers,” he said

For details on PLRK, contact 03-91307934/ 03-91306166.

source: http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2011/11/25/central/9944510&sec=central