A group of 37 women beach operators from Malindi have begun soap making business to cushion them against the covid-19 that negatively affected the tourism sector. Baharini women beach operators who deal with curios, massage, and other items are beginning to rip from the soap and jik making program. The idea is slowly gaining momentum and could be soon become a game-changer to their lives if they are accorded the necessary support.
Pili Kadzo the treasurer of Baharini women beach operators said their new venture though still small has enabled them to stop depending entirely on the tourism sector for survival. In January this year, they were introduced to the new venture of soap making business by Kate Mwikali the chairperson of Progressive Welfare Association of Malindi.
Kadzo said Mwikali told them to begin the soap making business and she would help them look for the market so as to get income. Kadzo said during lunch hours they converge at their area and arrange chemicals and water.
On that day if you found them making 10 liters of soap which they sell at sh.60 per liter which once sold would bring an income of Sh. 600 to the group which consists of 37 women.
Consolata Ogutu the chairperson of Baharini women group who has been operating at the beach for the last 20 years thanked the association of women in tourism coast region for supporting them with food when the pandemic struck.
Ogutu loves their new venture and called upon not only the county and national government for support but even investors to buy their products and help them expand it as they cannot depend on the few liters they make currently.
On her part Eunice Charo the Baharini women group secretary said the project has given them hope for development as they have begun saving money out of the sales they made. The mother of two said business is still very low but with proper funding, they shall be able to produce more. Mwikali who has been at the forefront in supporting the women groups said she told the women to begin soap making as an alternative to their normal jobs in the beach after covid.
The idea she said is aligned with the President’s agenda of industrialization as they only require capacity building to achieve that. Catherine Muli the treasurer of Kilifi county association of women in tourism said they have been conducting training for them on digital networking together with the national chamber of commerce and industry.
Through the digital platform, she said, they will be able to sell the products to people who are in other places.