The perseverance of a disabled man in making handcrafted leather products for a living should serve as an example to others.

Jaafar Athan, 55, who was paralysed after a road accident 30 years ago, ventured into the business in 2010 by investing RM450 to buy basic equipment to make the crafts.

He said he makes belts, purses, bags and card holders, among others, and can earn more than RM2,000 a month from his shop in Felda Tenang here.

“I was in despair for two years after being confirmed with paralysis. Then I started growing pepper, but I had to give up cultivation because I could only move around in a wheelchair to tend the plants.

“Friends encouraged me to work indoors. So, I ventured into this craft after learning it from friends and tutorials on YouTube,” he said when met by Bernama at the “Majestic Johor Durian Retreat” programme here, organised for the media by Tourism Johor.

As the small business gained momentum, he decided to open the Kraf Kulit Jaafar Enterprise in Felda Tenang in 2012 and the gallery has proven to be popular among tourists.

According to him, the handicrafts are made from various types of animal skin, including cow, goat, buffalo and horse hide.

He uses his creativity to fulfil the orders of customers according to their needs and fashion trends.

Due to his persistence and diligence over the past 13 years, Jaafar has won various awards, including the 2018 Tokoh OKU Johor at the state level and third place in the miscellaneous crafts category at the Jauhar Collection Creative Arts Competition.

“I am very grateful to the community, especially in Felda Tenang, and the Johor Tourism Board for making my leather crafts a tourist attraction,” he said.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency