LAO Tsu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, once said: If you give a hungry man a fish, you feed him for a day. But if you teach him how to fish, you feed him for a lifetime.
This philosophy inspired entrepreneur Datuk Normaziah Sheikh Mohamed to lead an initiative to provide jobs for single mothers, former abuse victims, women living in poverty and former women prisoners.
Called Burgernita, it gives an opportunity for women to be trained in setting up burger stalls to supplement their income.
Normaziah, popularly known as Datuk Azie, said she thought it would be a great opportunity for women to venture into a predominantly male trade in Malaysia.
"It is high time women venture into this territory. These women traders will offer special burgers such as Burger Sarang Burung, which is delicious," she said at the launch of the project recently.
Normaziah, who is Kelab Wanita Ikon Malaysia (KWIM) chairman, said Burgernita initially started as a project to help single mothers who had been struggling to make ends meet since the pandemic began last year.
"Last year, KWIM started a donation and food distribution drive, which helped 1,800 families nationwide.
"However, contributions from that drive lasted only for two weeks and we later discussed ways to help these families who mostly had single mothers as their breadwinners."
She said the idea for Burgernita was inspired by her own experience.
"My siblings and I were raised by a single mother who earned a meagre salary as a kindergarten teacher, but she managed to put food on the table and a roof over our heads.
"The Burgernita project is very meaningful to me. It helps women to operate and own small businesses. It is part of the club's continuous efforts to empower women who are affected by the pandemic," said Normaziah, 51, who was named "Female Icon of Malaysia" in 2007.
The pioneering batch of Burgernita traders comprises 15 participants from Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Johor, Terengganu and Kedah.
They received help to start their businesses from Tekun Nasional, which is the project's financial partner. The project's food sponsors are ArisProp Sdn Bhd, which supplies burger patties, and Mahsuri Food Sdn Bhd, which supplies condiments. Burgernita's event partner is Kedondong 9, a well-known wedding house and event management company.
Normaziah said participants were trained in food preparation, advertising and marketing.
She said customers could make donations and find more information about the project on its website (burgernita.com), as well as its Instagram and Facebook accounts.
"We hope to set up 140 stalls by the end of this year."
Participant Junainah Juahil, 44, from Taman Mulia, Ampang, said she planned to sell burgers at night to supplement her income.
She earns a living by providing transport services for schoolchildren.
"I will still ferry children to and from school and at night, I will man the Burgernita stall. I am so happy, grateful and excited for this chance to learn news skills and supplement my income," said the single mother of seven.