Kota Kinabalu: The Kasih Ibu Tunggal (KasihnITa) 2026 Programme is helping single mothers in Sabah acquire new skills, build confidence and improve their lives.
Among those who benefited was Stephanie Agapitus, 32, from Tambunan, who received her divorce papers just two days before attending the programme.
She said she discovered the programme through a Facebook advertisement while searching for legal aid after returning from Peninsular Malaysia, where she had struggled to find similar support.
The mother of three children, aged six, five and three, said the programme provided her with practical tools to manage her finances and rebuild her life.
“The programme also teaches us how to manage our finances,” she said, adding that the sessions had inspired her to explore business opportunities beyond her current job so she could spend more time with her children.
She said the application process was straightforward, with organisers providing a link and QR code for interested participants to register.
She hoped the programme would continue and reach more young single mothers, advising those in similar situations not to be afraid of moving forward and embracing change.
Another beneficiary, Ilmahwati Salam, 45, from Tawau, has spent 11 years raising her four children largely on her own. She credited agencies such as the Women’s Development Department for providing support when family assistance was lacking.
“I had to manage the household on my own, raise my children, find income, pay for daily necessities, and at the same time think about my children’s future,” she said.
She said the programme had taught her about financial management, legal protections available to single mothers and the importance of building personal discipline.
Ilmahwati, who founded D’Sireh Spa Traditional Melayu, a postnatal care service in Tawau, said her proudest achievement was seeing her children grow into independent adults.
Her four children, now aged 25, 24, 21 and 19, have all established stable careers. Two are working as nurses at Tawau Hospital, one is a doctor at Hospital Shah Alam, while the youngest works offshore.
She said the legal literacy module was particularly useful in helping single mothers understand how to protect themselves under the law.
She hoped the Department would intensify its promotional efforts through platforms such as TikTok and Facebook to reach more single mothers, particularly those in rural areas who still relied heavily on word of mouth for information.
She also encouraged single mothers who had yet to learn about such programmes not to feel isolated or marginalised, stressing that support was available to those willing to step forward and seek assistance.
The state-level programme was launched on Sunday by Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
