Skills Development in the time of Corona: Liquid Soap Making

April 19, 2020 in Blog

Handwashing is one of the precautionary measures against coronavirus recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Ministry of Health. The demand for sanitization products like soap has spiked, presenting a viable business opportunity that youth and persons with disabilities could take advantage of to earn a living in these uncertain times. Since May 2020, Light for the World has sponsored 204 women (with disabilities and parents of children with disabilities) in eight districts across Uganda to attend a one-day course in liquid soap making. The training was done in their communities and in small batches (of 5 people) in respect for the restrictions against public gatherings. Following the training, each participant is given a set of start-up equipment and materials to get going immediately. Below is the experience of the first batch of women trained; the impact COVID-19 has had on their livelihood as well as what they hope to use this newly acquired skill for… in this time of COVID-19 and beyond: Semmy is 29 years, has a hearing impairment and lives in Lira Town. She says I had a tailoring business in the main market in Lira town. With the lockdown, my business had to close. I was doing nothing to earn a living. Now, I am excited to have something to earn money with during the lockdown. I am going to teach some of my deaf friends so they can earn too! Betty is 45, she has a physical impairment and lives in Lira Town. She says, I am a hairdresser by profession… I am also a single mother with two dependents. After the lockdown, I surely had nothing else that I was doing to earn a living. I want to make the best use of this knowledge and maximize my sales because people are washing hands more... so they need detergents. Trainees learning to mix ingredients together Trainees practising how to make the liquid soap Semmy and the Instructor celebrate after finishing the process A crisis can present an opportunity to learn a new skill, serve the community all the while earning money for sustenance. We look forward to opening more opportunities like these for persons with disabilities during this COVID-19 crisis and beyond!