Fighting poverty with soap and batiks
In a country where rural areas are adversely affected by extreme poverty, it is vital that communities can harness any potential way of generating income if they are to break out of this cycle.
With the help of LTT, members of the Sawe Women's Group have been taught to make liquid soap and batiks (patterned cloth), both of which are sold to the local community.
These income-generating cottage industries are a perfect activity for when the crops are growing, at which point the women have time to take on other challenges.
Although both activities are intended to add to the household purse, they are about much more than simply the money. Making soap and batiks encourage team work, the chance to support each other, sharing and, above all, friendship.
