I’ve been with eHomemakers for a little more than a week now, although it feels like a lot longer. eHomemaker’s founder, Ching Ching, has that sort of warm, dynamic personality that makes you feel like you’ve known her for years. Immediately, I feel part of the team and am eager to figure out a way to sell the Salaam Wanita baskets to a wider audience. Salaam Wanita is made up of a special group of women who are disabled and have mobility restrictions – single mothers, and caregivers to chronically ill family members. The women are able to weave these beautiful, eye-catching ecobaskets and ecobags, made from recycled magazines and catalogues. Most of their current sales have been made via word-of-mouth, and I will be continuing the work of past AP interns, Stephanie and Melissa, to achieve sustainability for Salaam Wanita.

Kuala Lumpur is certainly a lot different than when I lived here in 1994 and 1996. I’m continuously impressed by its modern infrastructure: the clean, efficient monorails and subway system; the highways, over passes and toll roads; and the constantly increasing number of architecturally savvy skyscrapers. This year is Malaysia’s 50th anniversary, meaning lots of celebrations and campaigns to reel in the tourists.

My family lives on the other side of town, and the commute is a little tricky. My father is French and my mother is Indonesian, but after living in Malaysia for six years they decided this would be a good place to call home. Retired expatriates are able to apply for “Malaysia as your 2nd home,” once they’ve bought a house and take care of some paperwork – we had reason to celebrate this week, when my family received this status.

When I can, I borrow my father’s car and get lost in its complicated roads and highways with their not-so-evident road signs. For the majority of my time with eHomemakers, I will be working from home (how appropriate), and checking in with Ching Ching once in a while but mostly communicating via email and Skype.

Last week I had the chance to visit one of its Microsoft Unlimited Potential (UP) training sessions. Microsoft UP is a global initiative designed to help broaden digital inclusion and aid global workforce development by providing technology skills through community technology centers.

Upon inception of the grant, eHomemakers has been providing Microsoft IT training to 60 disadvantaged women with skills necessary to operate as home-based administrators/ assistants, and help them achieve economic sustainability. Part of my task in the next few months will be to help them find jobs with Peck Lin Wong, the project coordinator. The women were very welcoming and friendly, of all ages and ethnicities, and all eager to succeed in the work place.