South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Simon Deng
Soap is one of the most essential basic items needed for human life. And in Wau, the capital of South Sudan’s Western Bahr el Ghazal State, 30 year old Aladawa Coleta learnt the skills of liquid soap production and has become a major supplier of the product in the town.
Coleta exalts in the peace created by a transitional government of national unity following years of turbulence.
“In every place, if there is no peace, there is no work, if there is peace, there is work,” she told The Dawn in an interview.
“I love the security in Western Bahr el Ghazel state and that is why I choose to do business in Wau because the security is stable,” she said.
A review of human history shows that what keeps people developing is the presence of peace in society which brings about mutual understanding among people. China has mastered the art of living in peace in its reform and development, focusing on its commitment to peaceful development which has seen it become a fast developing country on the globe.
Coleta hires five people in running the production of the soap and other detergents including shampoo, Vaseline, lotions and sanitizers and sells to clients ranging from shop and business owners, clinicians, hoteliers and motorcycle taxi operators.
“I pack them in containers and put them up in the evening by the road side. Customers buy one by one,” Coleta said.
“Organizations also buy. They normally take from me for the hospital and also for people in the market, especially those selling tea,” she said.
Coleta, a Human Resource Manager by profession, operates her business in the Duraja area of Wau town.
She gained skills in the detergent production from Women Advancement Organization, a nongovernmental organization which works to advance the progress of women in South Sudan.
Coleta worked as a logistic officer with the organization where she got a lot of on-hand crafts production too.
“I was thinking of establishing a company and that was my first plan, I need to open a company,” Coleta said of her business.
Despite a “slow” market in Western Bahr el Ghazal, production of soap itself remains a brisk business for Coleta.
She purchases the raw materials from Kampala, the capital of neighboring Uganda through Juba and to Wau.
“I really benefit a lot from the business. I started this business because salaries is not all that can help, sometime, we do not have projects,” Coleta said.
Coleta said proceeds from the business has helped her meet the costs of three of her siblings in school.
“I start this business with 500 dollars but I got a lot of profit,” she said.
“My plan is a little big. I have an ambitious plan, I just need to have the capital, I want to open a company, my long term plan so that I can employ other people to come and work with me and also benefit.”
The woman, who once was displaced to neighboring Uganda over conflict knows business is tough in South Sudan but vows to continue with it.
“I encourage those going through crisis to keep trying to do their best, put God first and it will work well for you,” she said in a piece of advice.
“The government needs to offer training for young women and girls. A lot of girls are getting pregnant and they are getting spoiled and those are the future of South Sudan.”
