Itsekiri NextGen Project: 2024 Session 22 Report

• Topic: Soap Making
• Date: 8th of June 2024
• Volunteers Present: 5
• Total Number of Attendees: 62
• Timings: 11:00am – 1:00pm
• Venue: Former Caravan 4, Aja-Pessu (Pessu Town), Warri
• Main Topic/Activity: Liquid Soap Making
• Resource Person: Mr. Temisan Ereku

Summary

This session aimed to teach participants how to make liquid soap, providing them with a potential source of income.

Session Delivery

In alignment with our economic and entrepreneurship mandate, the 21st session focused on soap making. The session was facilitated by Mr. Temisan Ereku, an external expert in the field.

Participants arrived with their cans and buckets, while some parents brought larger bowls and spatulas for the soap-making process.

The coordinator set the stage, explaining that the goal was to introduce participants to entrepreneurial opportunities. Soap making, she highlighted, is a lucrative business with a steady demand.

Participants filled bowls with water from a nearby tap. The coordinator then pre-mixed the chemicals needing dilution an hour before the session began.

The chemicals used for soap making included:

1. Nitrosol
2. Soda Ash
3. Sulphuric Acid
4. Texapon
5. SLS
6. Foam Booster
7. Fragrance
8. Formalin

Nitrosol, the base for all other chemicals, was added first, followed by continuous stirring as each chemical was added. After adding the fragrance, the mixture foamed heavily but eventually settled with more stirring and water until the desired viscosity was achieved. The mixture was then left to settle, allowing lumps to dissolve.

Once ready, the soap was poured into cans. Participants asked questions to clarify the process. One question was about the absence of added colour. The facilitator explained that colour is optional and depends on preference and the soap’s intended use. He prefers plain soap, ideal for laundry, dishes, cars, tiles, etc., as colours can affect some fabrics.

Another question concerned the necessity of adding fragrance. The facilitator affirmed the importance of leaving a pleasant scent on clothes and in the environment, which can attract more customers.

Omatsola Okpeayaghan and Itse Mirabel Ukubeyinje organized the empty cans, bringing them for filling one by one.

By the end of the session, all participants, volunteers, and some parents went home with their own soap.

Volunteers:

• Debi Amadedon
• Emmanuel Egbe
• Jolomi Tedeye
• Omatsola Okpeayaghan
• Itse Mirabel Ukubeyinje

Other Key Activities During the Session

• Packaging of the liquid soap in containers.

What Went Wrong

• Nothing went wrong.

Overall, the session successfully equipped participants with practical skills and an entrepreneurial mindset.