“It was tough, but my mother accepted my reasons and allowed me to enroll in the programme,” she said.Angela’s initial days at the YWCA Kuala Lumpur were not as rosy as she had pictured.
“Once I enrolled, I realised it was really hard to stay alone and be independent at the hostel as I was so used to being in my comfort zone. I used to cry a lot then as I did not know anyone there and it was my first time being away from my family,” she said.
Through one of her lecturers, she found out about the Maharani programme and decided to join.
“With the support of Maharani coordinators, I learnt to be independent and make decisions for myself. Now, I no longer feel alone or afraid. I also learned about self-discipline, cleanliness and time management. We were taught that cleanliness and positive appearance will boost self-esteem and confidence,” she said.“With the help of the Maharani programme, I started to believe in myself and my dream. Determination is the key and we must step out of our comfort zone to achieve our goals,” she said.
Today Angela who is passionate about baking is now working as a pastry baker at the Huckleberry Hospitality Group at Segambut, Kuala Lumpur.
She dreams about opening her own bakery and wants to contribute to society.
“I would like to hire people from disadvantaged backgrounds to work at my bakery because I want them to have a chance at a better life,” she says, hoping that she could inspire girls who have had the same upbringing as herself.
