Colombia: Soap-making training for vulnerable mothers

Making a ‘Clean & Beauty Life’ for single mothers in Colombia.

In many countries, single mothers face unique social and economic challenges. Since 2020, together with Givaudan volunteers from Colombia and a local foundation, we have developed an initiative to offer fragrance and entrepreneurship training for single mothers living in the more vulnerable neighbourhoods of Bogotá.

 

volunteers together with participants posing with their cleaning products

 

Helping single mothers to make a fragrant living
Our partner foundation is dedicated to providing support and protection for small children, notably helping parents in becoming more economically independent via professional training. Our relationship with this partner dates back to 2017, through an initiative centring on health and good nutritional practices. They also have a dedicated unit for training people on how to manufacture cleaning products. Volunteers from Givaudan Colombia suggested providing their technical expertise to support a group of single-mothers in making and selling fragrance products to help improve their livelihood.

 

volunteers together with participants in a lab manufacturing cleaning products

Working from home as micro-manufacturers
A pilot scheme in 2020 showed promising results. Subsequently, we have provided funding support to fully deploy the project. Since then, the volunteers have taught a group of women how to manufacture at home and sell dishwashing soaps, liquid and powder detergents, floor cleaning products and, most notably, glycerine soap. The training is not only technical but also supports participants to develop entrepreneurial and business skills, including advice on finding space in their own homes for the manufacture and sale of products. Since 2022, Clean & Beauty Life project participation includes the beneficiaries from the pilot phase and was extended to a larger group of women.

I am grateful to Givaudan volunteers who have shown me how to make cleaning products, which has been a good way to make an income, especially during the pandemic.
Diana Carolina, beneficiary of the project

 

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