Single Mothers Learn to Make Patchwork Quilts, Empowered with Skills to Build Warm Families

(Miri, 26th) Miri Single Mothers Consultation Center Chairperson Kapitan Teo Tun Ming stated that “a harmonious family leads to prosperity,” and that mothers play a crucial role within the family, being the most direct role models for their children and should foster a warm and harmonious family atmosphere through practical actions.

She pointed out that the Miri Single Mothers Consultation Center was established in 2015 under the initiative of advisor and Sarawak Minister of Transport, Senadin assemblyman Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin. The aim is to assist single mothers in improving their life skills and enhancing their family situation. At that time, many single mothers lived under hardship and financial constraints, to the extent that some could not afford their children’s educational expenses; the center was thus founded to provide aid to families in need.

She said that over the years, the education and skills training programs organized by the center have all received support from Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin, who cares not only for the educational development of children but also values the growth and learning of single mothers, hoping they can master a craft, achieve economic independence, and not rely on others in the long term.

“Dato has often said, ‘It’s better to teach a person to fish than to give them fish.’ As such, we continue to run various skills courses, including handicrafts, DIY projects, cake, pizza, and baking trainings, to help single mothers improve their lives and strengthen their self-reliance.”

She stated that for over 20 years, the center has prioritized promoting skills learning, helping single mothers improve their abilities, gain a firm footing, and provide their children with a better environment to grow up in. Should any members encounter difficulties, Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin would also do his best to help.

Teo Tun Ming made these remarks when interviewed by the media during the “Patchwork Quilting Basic Workshop” organized by the center and held at Miri Community College today. The certificate presentation was presided over by Dato Sri Lee Kim Shin.

She said that this course attracted around 30 members and their children. By learning to make patchwork quilts and various types of textile crafts, everyone was encouraged to “work more with their hands and look at their phones less,” thereby fostering parent-child interaction and strengthening family bonds.

She added that patchwork quilts symbolize unity, blessings, and care. Trainees made use of old clothes, leftover fabrics, and T-shirts with different designs to piece together these quilts, not only practicing environmental protection but also giving new life to old items.

“After completing the basic training, we hope everyone will put what they have learned into practice, further develop their creativity, and turn their creations into sellable products to increase family income.”

She added that another important purpose of holding such courses is for mothers to bring what they learned back home to complete crafts together with their children—reducing the children's screen time on electronic devices and creating more parent-child bonding time, thus fostering happiness and warmth in the family.

She revealed that the center has also previously run courses on making eco-friendly bags from paper and lanterns from red envelopes, amongst other environmental-themed handmade crafts. More different types of skills training will be offered in the future so that more single mothers can benefit.