The ManicaPost
Luthando Mapepa
Chipinge Correspondent
lnmates at Tongogara Refugee Camp have defied all odds to start a giant soap making project.
The Tongogara Refugees Women Association (TORWA) which was established in 2017 has changed the lives of hundreds of refugees.
TORWA directly employs 22 people.
The co-operative is fronted by females and individuals with chronic diseases.
Terre des Hommes (TDH), a development partner, availed US$25 000 to kickstart the project which has the capacity to produce 5 000kgs of laundry soap every week.
However, due to limited working space, the co-operative is only producing 2 500kgs per week. The product was tested and approved by the Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ).
TORWA committee member and treasurer, Mrs Leah Thomas (34), who is a Democratic Republic of Congo national, said the project has been a game changer for many people at Tongogara Refugee Camp. She said the project has the potential to eliminate poverty at the camp.
“The project has changed our lives. It was rolled out to families living with chronic diseases and disability. These families have no avenues of generating money. Here in the camp we don’t have access to money since we only receive food hampers from partners. From this initiative, we are now able to raise money to cater for other family needs.
“We are calling on the local community to support us as we are producing quality soap, similar to those sold in supermarkets,” said Mrs Thomas
TDH’s food and security officer, Mr Samuel Muvungani, said the main thrust of the project is to increase self-reliance through employment creation opportunities and reliable sources of income for vulnerable women in the refugee camp.
“The idea to establish the soap project was mooted after realising that most refugees are struggling to lead decent lives. Soap is used in all households and has a ready market so we decided to establish the project at the camp.
“The refugees received training in Harare as well as from the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Entreprises Development.
“We are grateful for the support we are getting from the Government, embassies and other development partners,” he said.
Mr Muvungani also urged the local community to support the project.
“Finding a stable market for the soap is one of the challenges we are facing. We call upon the local business community, schools and wholesalers to support the project through buying the soap,” he said.
Camp administrator, Mr Johane Mhlanga, said the Government will continue supporting such initiatives.
“Government is helping in promoting all self reliance projects initiated by refugees and development partners. Through such projects, the refuges are contributing towards the strengthening of household economies. They also contributing towards the implementation of National Development Strategy 1,” said Mr Mhlanga.
