MUKAH: Physically challenged Wilson Frederick Aki’s maxim is very simple: “I try my best”.
Since attending courses in Kota Samarahan and Bangi (Selangor) between 1998 and 2000 right up to becoming a self-employed electrical and electronic equipment repairman, Wilson has lived up to this motto.
Equipped with the certificates coupled with his inborn talent, he has tried his best to achieve his dreams and did so remarkably well.
The many malfunctioning electrical and electronic equipment at his mini workshop waiting to be repaired are proof of what he, as a physically challenged (OKU) individual, is really capable of.
Wilson, 39, is the fourth of Frederick Aki’s children of four boys and a girl. He is staying with his father at Kampung Petanak, Jalan Petanak here.
He said he studied up to Form 5 at SMK St Patrick, Mukah, but could not enter Form 6 because his results were not that good.
He then decided to take a two-year radio and television repair course at Samarahan Rehabilitation Centre (June 1998-Dec 2000), and at the Industrial and Rehabilitation Training Centre in Bangi, Selangor (Feb-May 2000) on computer maintenance.
“I used to work at an entertainment centre in Mukah, involved in electronic and snooker games for about a year, but cannot remember exactly which year.
“What I still remember is when the electronic games closed, while snooker continues until today, and I have to go my own way,” he said on Thursday (Aug 27), while busy at work repairing an iron.
From then onwards, there was no looking back for the determined Wilson.
He opened his Wilson Mini Workshop in 2004, with his maxim “I Try My Best” clearly stated together with the business name, at his father’s house.
Wilson said from 2004 until now, he enjoyed what he was doing, as he was his boss and free from unnecessary pressure.
When asked about his income, his reply was: “Ok”.
From his record book, it showed that he received customers almost everyday, and the many malfunctioning electrical and electronic equipment in his workshop was proof of his expertise.
According to him, besides locals, his customers also came from as far as Matu, Miri, Sarikei, Sibu and Bintulu.
On customer satisfaction, he said it was normal that there were those who were not satisfied and even very ‘calculative’, but not many of them.
He revealed that he used Facebook to help promote his business.
“I also make use of Google form and it really helps me, because this is in line with the changes and progress happening now, which we have to adapt to.”
Asked about spare parts procurement, Wilson revealed that he ordered some of them online from China, United States and Japan.
He added that so far he had not experienced anything unpleasant ordering online.
Wilson admitted that he also received certain assistance from the government pertaining to his business venture, including a motorcab contributed by Tellian Constituency Service Centre in 2018.
“I thank Tellian assemblyman Yussibnosh Balo for the assistance, and the motorcab really helps me in transporting certain bulky equipment such as washing machine and television.”
He also receives monthly allowance entitled to working OKUs from the Welfare Department, which he really appreciates.
His message to other OKUs: “Disability is not a hindrance, just continue to try to do the best and do not be lazy.
“Do not just look for a job, but try to create a job with a positive mentality.”
