Aishalton women producing their own homemade soaps

The Women’s Association of Aishalton, Deep South Rupununi, Region Nine is now producing their own homemade soaps, using organic materials available in their village.

Accompanying Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido-Lowe during a recent Ministerial Outreach to the Region, was the very resourceful Owen DeSouza, of DeSouza Estate Establishment in Linden, who imparted his knowledge to the women folk there.

They were taught the process of producing a variety of soaps using their home-grown fruits, vegetables, legumes, lemons, coconuts among other materials.

Immacaulata Casimero Chairperson of the Aishalton Women’s Association said the women are elated to have shared in this experience since they were empowered to becoming independent and potentially an outstanding soap producer.

“With so much raw material in my village there’s so much that can be done with it because we have never learnt, but because Minister is here and she brought Mr. DeSouza is something that is good and a great initiative that we can start in our community. We can have women earning an income for their own selves. I am looking forward to trying it with my own with my women’s group and see how we can make soap” Casimero assured.

Owen DeSouza who conducted a one-day session said he was pleased with the overwhelming response from the women and the general village population who turned out in their numbers to participate and share in the experience.

“Aishalton has so much raw material, it’s amazing that the people are so rich in raw materials and the soil is so fertile they have so many fruits and food on the whole. I would like to give back to the community by teaching them to make soaps and other products. They have lemon and that is a big product and I already taught them to make lemon oil and lemon soap”, DeSouza said.

Speaking of opportunities available, DeSouza noted that “Aishalton is a promising place with potential and it only needs the people to exploit their resources to ensure a sustainable livelihood”.

He was also pleasantly surprised by the women who experimented with their own creation and were able to present mango soaps to him a day following their session, of which they were especially proud of.

DeSouza thanked Minister Garrido-Lowe for making his visit possible, and for her unwavering commitment to Indigenous peoples’ development, especially women, children and youth.

DeSouza’s Establishment produces several “Sensational Skin Care Oils” and Creams using organic materials such as fruits, vegetables, coconut among others.

Meanwhile, Minister Garrido-Lowe said she was pleased to be able to create avenues for economic empowerment of the women folk who will, in turn, be able to provide for their families and bring the good life promised by the David Granger led Coalition Government.

“This is what this Government is doing for you, sharing knowledge with you so that you, in turn, can use your knowledge to uplift your standard of living, which means you can make money out of the knowledge that you have gained”.

Similar exercises are planned for other villages in the respective regions.

Since ascension to officer, Minister Garrido-Lowe has embarked on a journey to bring about positive changes in the lives of the nations’ Indigenous youth and women making them independent, which is proving to be life-changing.

Just the week before several youths from Mora, the satellite village of Santa Rosa, Region One benefitted from training in leather work through the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples Affairs HEYS Department, where they learnt to make shoulder bags, purses, wallets and male pouches.

They intend to have their first SALE on Republic Day at the Kumaka Waterfront where Market Day is held every Saturday.

This commitment by the Minister will ensure more youth, especially, become independent towards leading productive and rewarding lives.

Alethea Grant.

Communications Officer.

Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.