15 women benefit from detergent, soap making training in Juba

By Awan Achiek

Tranquility for Humanity Organization (TFHO) a local NGO has trained about 15 women and men in detergent making as part of its efforts to improve their income and livelihoods.

Mr. Onen Charles George, Program Manager of Tranquility for Humanity Organization said the five-day training aims to equip disadvantaged people to be able to create alternative livelihoods.

 “The project for supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged people specifically people with disabilities was designed this year majorly to support this vulnerable persons to have access to opportunities, skills and resources in terms of money,” said Charles during the closing ceremony of the training in Juba on Friday.

He said the project also aims to eradicate poverty in the communities by empowering elderly women and men with skills to generate income.

“When we look at the level of poverty in South Sudan is very high which is attributed to a lot of factors and that is why we in Tranquility for Humanity Organization decided to organize this activity to help address some of the problems these people with disabilities are facing,” said Charles.

He disclosed that next year they will train school children in computer skills.

He called on donors to support the organization to expand the program to other parts of the country.

“I call upon all the international organizations, be it UN agencies and even local organizations who wish to partner with us to come forward,” said Charles.

The three-year project is funded by the Board of Directors and it targeted 250 people from Juba, Kator and Munuki Blocks.

 The participants were equipped with skills to make detergents such as dish liquid soap, shampoo and bar soap.

Some of the beneficiaries who spoke at the event lauded the organization for improving their livelihoods.

 Awiwi Anthony Janet, one of the beneficiaries of the program said the project will go a long way in eradicating poverty among the participants.

 “They have trained us on how to make liquid soap and Shampoo and now we have learned on to make detergent and we are very happy and on behalf of women, we are very happy for what we have become and with this training, we will be able to eradicate hunger from our families,” said Anthony.

She said the project empowers women to be financially independent.

“We are now self-reliant and once we leave here we are going to buy chemicals and we are sure 100 per cent we will not spoil anything. We are very qualified now and we know everything chemicals,” said Anthony.

Alfred Nimeriy, another beneficiary living with disability stressed the need for more efforts to be made to reach out to more women.

“When I go home, I will be able to do something to sustain my life and I will forget the trauma and the thinking that I need somebody to help me,” said Nimeiy.

Mary Ezikis, a beneficiary said she will use the skills acquired to build her home.

“First of all, I want to thank this organization for training us on detergent making, the training is inclusive they have not discriminated against us people living with disability,” said Ezikis.

“It will boost my income, I will make soaps and on the other hand I will make cookies and I also bed sheets to increase my income,”  she added.