Candles light a way for single mums
When Ms Angella Cheng decided to start a social enterprise, she knew she wanted to help single mothers.
The 50-year-old became one herself some 30 years ago, 11/2 years into her marriage.
Then, she was in her 20s and her son had barely turned a month old.
"I was once a single mother, so I can feel the heartbeat of a single mother," Ms Cheng said.
Her own mother insisted that Ms Cheng study in Australia, partly as a distraction and to avoid her sinking into depression.
There, Ms Cheng learnt how to make scented candles and beauty soaps - skills that came in handy when she set up ChaCha Cottage in 2004.
The social enterprise supports single mothers by teaching them skills like candle, soap and jewellery-making so that they can earn a living from home while taking care of their children.
The project has also been extended to women in financial need as well as those whose husbands are out of work due to illness. Each woman can make up to 60 candles a day, and earn between $1 and $4 per candle depending on its size.
Over the years, Ms Cheng has trained more than 50 women. Some of them have branched out on their own, she said.
After 12 years since starting the social enterprise, Ms Cheng hopes it will continue for some time to come.
"I feel blessed to be in a situation where I can help people. I could have been the recipient (of help) instead of the giver if life hadn't been kind to me," she said.
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