Empowering Rural Women through Skills Development in Eswatini

Under the shade of a mango tree on the Kudvumisa Foundation property, a group of mothers and caregivers from the Singumndeni outreach program gathered to participate in a soap-making workshop. Make Celiwe Shongwe, a dedicated facilitator from the Ministry of Agriculture, led the workshop. She is known for her warm personality and her commitment to empowering women in rural communities.

During this one-day training, participants learned how to make dishwashing liquid and green bar hand soap. If you’re unfamiliar with what Singumndeni is: it's one of our outreach programs that supports families of children with disabilities in and around the Maphiveni area where poverty is prevalent. In a previous blog, we shared how most of these women are unemployed due to the demanding needs of the children they take care of. By providing them with the potential to generate income from home, the training offered a lifeline; a way to break free from the constraints of their circumstances.

Under the cool shade, safe from the sweltering Lubombo heat, the women learned the techniques and processes involved in soap making. They gained knowledge of different ingredients, including natural and sustainable options such as marula oil. They were also equipped on how to price their products for maximum profit. The workshop also emphasized the importance of quality control and safe handling practices and the impact extended beyond the Singumndeni group too; with some of the Livivane guesthouse staff joining in on the workshop. 

As the women learned the intricate art of soap-making, their faces radiated excitement. They discovered the power of their hands, transforming simple ingredients into valuable products. We hope that the skills acquired through this training will not only empower the women of Singumndeni to start their small-scale soap-making businesses but will also help us to start producing our guesthouse soaps, assisting in cutting back immensely on operational costs.

But as for the Singumndeni group: this is just the beginning. We need your support to continue empowering these women. Your donation can help fund more workshops and provide startup capital for these aspiring entrepreneurs. As one participant shared, "Siyabonga kusivula tingcondo," meaning "Thank you for opening our minds to the possibilities," proving without a doubt that the workshop inspired hope and empowerment.