KUCHING: Working as a kindergarten assistant in Miri is not an obstacle for Ayu Aling, 52, to run her business to earn extra income for her family.
The single mother sells various types of food products including cakes, biscuits and a big favourite locally called ‘cencaluk’ (fermented small shrimps or krill).
“As it is once again the shrimp season in Miri, I am also selling homemade cencaluk.
“My customers are not only those from Miri division but also from other places such as Kuching and other divisions,” Ayu told New Sarawak Tribune/Suara Sarawak.
Her children are also involved in the process of making the cencaluk.
Despite various challenges in her business, Ayu has never given up.
“So far, the demand for cencaluk is good, especially from customers in Kuching.
“For the customers in Miri, I have trouble making deliveries due to the lack of transport,” she said.
Be that as it may, Ayu has been using buses all this while to deliver cencaluk to her customers.
“Although I have to pay RM10 or more for to reach certain customers, I am not complaining. In fact I am grateful because my daily hard work has paid off.
“My cencaluk sales can fetch up to RM1,000 a month, which is definitely better than sitting around at home and doing nothing,” she said.
Ayu also promotes her products on Facebook.
AYU’s cencaluk is popular not only in Miri but in Kuching and other areas. 
The tasty cencaluk, a specialty of Ayu.
“I sell my cencaluk for RM10 per jar. This does not include the cost of delivery.
The lowest figure for her sales that she ever received was around RM500 a month,” she said.
Ayu usually delivers cencaluk from 3pm until midnight to customers outside Miri.
“One day, I hope to open another cencaluk outlet branch in other areas. At present my business is totally home-based,” she said.
Those interested in Ayu’s cencaluk and her other products can visit her at Lot 217, Lorong 1 F, Piasau Utara, Miri or contact her at 016-892 9213.
On her responsibility as a kindergarten assistant, Ayu said she only worked four or five days a week.
“Since the children have started to go to school again, I am now working five days a week as usual,” she said.
