Natalya's Fund

Background
In the Kauma district of Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi, many of the youth are unemployed, uneducated, or both. Coupled with many opportunities of a destructive kind, this situation is resulting in poverty, moral decay, environmental degradation, drug and substance abuse, begging, crimes, prostitution and victimisation. On 6/6/21, with the backing of the local community and chiefs from 17 villages, LYO held a meeting with the youth to determine a way to make progress and, after considering a number of possibilities, the youth themselves chose the idea of establishing a soap-making business.

 

In Malawi, soap is used for laundry and washing up as well as for personal hygiene. There are no soap factories within 300 miles of Lilongwe, so transport savings (added to occupancy savings – i.e. low or no rent) will enable the soap to be offered at a lower price. So SOMAYEEP (Soap Making for Youth Economic Empowerment Project) is born!

 

The SOMAYEEP Programme
Last year LYO completed its community and technical college building, which was provided by the people of Japan and opened by their ambassador. The college offers a number of courses, including carpentry and joinery, for which they will be using one of the carpentry kits we provided through Tools for Self Reliance. (For more see here.)

 

The young people will spend 2-3 days observing soap manufacture at other premises as part of their training. As with the courses that LYO offers, there will be a full week of occupational safety training provided by LYO staff.

 

All materials required in soap manufacture are locally available.

 

In the first year 100 young people will be involved; during that time they will gain experience both in the manufacturing and in running the business. Part of that is maintaining the strict safety culture. Not only will factory-workers be needed, but also security guards, and marketing & sales people, so a variety of skills will be employed. That first 100 will then move out and establish businesses elsewhere, while a new intake of 100 takes over at the college.

 

The group has agreed to set aside 5% of its profits for revolving loans to other young people who come up with good business plans. These loans have a fixed term, normally 6 months, but allow money to be drawn down and repaid as needed. They are not granted to individuals but to groups of typically three or four, with joint responsibility for repayment. Starting capital is typically $100-$200. Once the loan is repaid it becomes available for another group.

 

All business plans and loans are vetted, and the candidates interviewed, by a committee comprising local business leaders and LYO staff. This committee will also provide business training for the youth.

 

The project is being overseen by Mr Yamikani (AKA Mike) Chunga, Executive Director of LYO, who has lived in the community for over 20 years. A major strength of the project is that it’s owned and planned by the community and will be operated by the youth who conceived it, under the oversight of experienced business and community leaders - and that it directly answers a clear and obvious need. These factors give rise to a high level of commitment throughout.

 

This project will benefit not only the youth but also their families, whom the youth will be able to support; also, the local community will enjoy a reduction of the disruption the youth has been causing. Furthermore, many of the youth have promised to attend evening classes once they start earning an income. They are determined to make it work and to become responsible citizens.

 

Budget

Natalya’s Fund is raising the money required for the project, which includes equipment, the initial supply of materials, and training for the first intake, which comes to just short of £1,800. The full list of requirements can be downloaded here.

 

Safety & Health
LYO offers the following courses:

• Carpentry and Joinery

• Electrical Installation and Electronics

• Fabrication and Welding

• Hospitality and Food Production

• Textile and Fashion Designing

 

The organisation regards safety as the most important skill and the first thing to learn, whatever the course that is being run; hence the first week of a course is taken up by training in occupational safety & health.

 

The main risk in soap manufacture is in handling the caustic soda, one of the ingredients. Caustic soda splashes would be harmful to the eyes and to the skin, and the dust to the airways. Also, when mixed with the palm oil, the other main ingredient, heat is generated, raising the temperature to around 85C.

 

LYO has taken steps to reduce risk, including the following:
•    As with training courses, there will be one week’s relevant occupational safety training.
•    The shift leader will allow no-one into the work area without the required PPE, which includes safety boots and gloves.
•    The local MP has already seen to the provision of face shields, for protection against various hazards, including Covid 19.
•    There are first-aid boxes on site.
•    The Malawian government has allocated a standby vehicle to LYO for transport to hospital in case of accident.