A unique watermelon juice business run by 17-year-old differently-abled (OKU) teenager Muhammad Zufar Azman is winning hearts and attracting attention from the public. What sets his stall apart is its “pay as you wish” concept, which allows customers to contribute whatever amount they can afford for a refreshing cup of watermelon juice.
With the support of his family, Muhammad Zufar set up the stall in front of his home in Taman Air Biru, Johor. The student of the Special Education Integration Programme (PPKI) at SMK Pasir Gudang 2 said he never expected his small business venture to gain traction and go viral online.
Rather than imposing fixed prices, Muhammad Zufar lets customers decide how much they would like to pay based on their financial means.
“Some pay as little as 10 sen, while there are also generous customers who contribute up to RM100 because they want to support me. For children who don’t have any money, I’ll give it to them for free. I believe that sustenance is always available,” he said.
An effort to become independent
The watermelon juice stall was created as a way to help Muhammad Zufar develop the skills needed to live more independently after completing his secondary education. His family also adopted the “pay as you wish” concept to make the business easier for him to manage, as his learning disability (LD) can make it challenging to calculate change accurately.
His mother plays an active role in supporting the venture, helping to oversee daily operations while ensuring that Muhammad Zufar takes his medication on schedule.
According to his 29-year-old older brother, Muhamad Rifai Azman, the experience has already had a positive impact on the teenager’s development.
“My mother noticed that since starting the business, Zufar’s communication skills have improved and he has begun learning how to count. This progress is incredibly meaningful to our family. We hope Zufar’s story can encourage society to provide more opportunities for differently-abled individuals to build independent and fulfilling lives,” he shared.
Now selling between 50 and 100 cups of watermelon juice a day, Muhammad Zufar’s venture has grown beyond a simple roadside stall. The 17-year-old has already hired a permanent assistant along with 3 friends as part-time helpers to support the business.
A heartfelt message
Taking to TikTok, Muhammad Zufar took a moment to express his appreciation for his three friends—Fareez, Haziq, and Rayyan—who share the same learning disability as him and volunteered their time to help at the stall while learning the ropes of running a business.
Introducing them as “TeamB“, short for “TeamBikai” (watermelon team), Muhammad Zufar explained that the name carries a deeper meaning.
“This is what I call TeamB. TeamBikai. The second team. A second chance. It’s not because we’re not good enough to be the first team, but because we’re used to being the ones people don’t expect to win. And we want to prove that even the unexpected can achieve things people never thought possible.”
He also had an uplifting message for others facing similar challenges.
“If you feel like we do—like you’re a little slower, or that some things are a little more difficult—this is for you too,” he said.
Looking ahead, Muhammad Zufar hopes to expand the venture, not only to create more opportunities for others but also to help support his parents and give back to the family that has stood by him every step of the way.
Source: Harian Metro & Zufar Azman 🍉 | TikTok
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