At The Haven Place Foundation, we believe that when you empower a woman, you provide a lifeline to an entire community. In December 2025, we turned that belief into action by hosting an intensive two-day vocational training workshop for 30 determined women, focusing on high-demand household and medicinal products.
Through hands-on learning, these beneficiaries moved beyond theory, mastering the production, safety standards, and professional packaging of four essential products: Bar Soap, Liquid Soap, Fabric Softener, and Pain Relief Ointment.
Day 1: The Chemistry of Quality
The first day was a deep dive into formulation and the foundational science of soap making. Participants did not just learn to mix ingredients; they learned the “why” behind every step to ensure market-competitive quality.
- Liquid Soap: Participants mastered ingredient measurement and formulation techniques. By the end of the day, 30 individual batches were set aside to cure overnight.
- Bar Soap & Oil Refining: In a comprehensive session, the women learned the art of bleaching palm oil, a versatile skill useful for both product formulation and culinary purposes. This was followed by the moulding of bar soaps, where precision in temperature and mixing was key to ensuring a solid, long-lasting product.
“The goal of these skills is to create an immediate pathway to income. These are not just crafts; they are daily household necessities with steady market demand.”
Day 2: Precision, Packaging, and Professionalism
If Day 1 was about the “make,” Day 2 was about the “market.” A product is only as good as its presentation, and our beneficiaries rose to the challenge of professional branding.
- Bar & Liquid Soap Finishing
The morning began with the satisfying process of cutting the cured soap blocks from Day 1 into uniform, retail-ready bars. Participants focused on:
- Sizing Standards: Ensuring every bar meets consumer expectations.
- Quality Control: Identifying and rectifying imperfections before they reach the customer.
- Pain Relief Ointment
Tapping into the natural health market, the women learned the chemistry of soothing ointments. The session emphasized safety standards and the importance of professional labelling to build consumer trust in medicinal products.
- Fabric Softener
The final session guided the group through the production of premium fabric softener. From ingredient selection to choosing the right containers, the emphasis remained on a “professional finish” that can compete with established brands on any shelf.
From Beneficiaries to Business Owners
In 48 hours, 30 women transformed from learners into producers. By mastering five distinct processes (including palm oil bleaching), they now possess a diverse toolkit to launch multiple revenue streams.
The impact of this training includes:
- Economic Independence: Reduced reliance on unstable labour markets.
- Safety Excellence: Deep knowledge of handling raw materials and chemicals safely.
- Confidence: The ability to replicate high-quality results independently.
Help Us Empower More Women
This workshop is just the beginning. With your support, we can provide the “startup kits” these women need to turn these skills into thriving small businesses.