The Soap Making Enterprise
                     2024 – 2025

In 2023 BTFT received a request from AEERTPS to help fund a soap making project. A partnership agreement was signed in May 2024 for the implementation of this initiative. It was welcomed with great joy in Téréli and neighbouring villages. It is hoped it will bring about improvements in living conditions and generate income in order to meet essential and daily needs.

The construction of the building started in mid–July 2024 in Téréli. As it was the rainy season this complicated the making of bricks to build the premises. In addition, it was important that the field work (planting of crops) also took place so this slowed down the procedure. Despite these difficulties, related to the period, progress was made. The construction phase was completed by September but training could not start until after the harvest had been gathered in.

Safety is very important so funds were sent for protective clothing - aprons, gloves, shoes, masks etc. – see photos.

In January 2025 the training for the soap making took place. The modules on soap making also include teaching on the manufacture of bleach.
The beneficiaries are 25 women and 5 young men from 9 villages on the Bandiagara Cliff (Téréli, Komakani, Amani, Idiely, Nombori, Ireli, Pègue, Yaye Ouro).

This project is intended for:
Women aged 18 to 45.
Girls who dropped out of school due to forced marriage.
Young people who have dropped out of school due to financial difficulties.
Widowed women (those who lost their husbands to the terrorist attack)

Three types of soap are covered by the training and will be produced and put on sale on the market. As you can see from the images, there is liquid soap for multiple uses, soap balls for washing kitchen utensils or dishes, and rectangular soap for the body and other uses.

Detailed reports are available for those interested. .