AMPANG JAYA: Cobbler Ujang Samsudin, 63, speaks with a smile even as he shares how he struggles to make a living.
He should be enjoying retirement, but Ujang continues to work hard repairing shoes, bags and belts in Bandar Baru Ampang.
"God-willing, no matter how worn the shoe is, I will try to fix it. Even if it might be hard, I will try to repair it.
"It may not look like new, but I will try to repair it as best as I can," he told BH Online recently.
Ujang began working as a cobbler in 1983 in Chow Kit. But he was young and wanted to try new things, so he ventured elsewhere.
"Back then, I was single. My friends introduced me to many jobs. I did them as I still had the energy.
"I wanted to gain experience and meet new people. I was not married, so I left the cobbler job."
Ujang said he did not have as much energy as he used to and his once-sharp eyesight was deteriorating.
In 2019, Ujang returned to his old profession, moving from Batang Kali to Johor Baru, then to Shah Alam and finally to Bandar Baru Ampang in search of a livelihood.
But life in Bandar Baru Ampang has not been easy for him.
In the three months he has lived in Bandar Baru Ampang, Ujang has struggled to get customers, passing each day in uncertainty.
"One time, I leaned against the wall while I was repairing a pair of shoes.
"A Chinese man walked by and asked, 'Are you sick?' I just said I had no customers."
Amid Ujang's hardship, a glimmer of hope appeared with a simple act of kindness.
That man was moved by Ujang's plight and shared a post about him on Facebook.
That post changed Ujang's luck and he now has more customers.
"Before going viral, it was hard to even make enough money for food. Sometimes my pockets are empty for weeks. Getting even RM10 a day was difficult."
Ujang sometimes lowered his prices so that he could make some money.
"For example, if the price somewhere else is RM20, but my price is RM25, I will accept RM20.
"As long as I get some money. Enough to eat and pay rent."
Ujang rents a room for RM380 a month and lives away from his family.
He said it was difficult for him to offer his services at a new location where people do not know him, but he would keep his spirit up for his children.
If your shoes, bags or belts need repair, find Ujang in 20G-28G, Jalan Wawasan 4/5, Bandar Baru Ampang, or contact him at 011-2409 2189.