Final fundraising goal: £2,500 for 31st March 2026

In April 2026, Soap Up, my sole trade soap making business, will work with Amigos World-wide to host a one-week Christian soap-making and health training event at Kira Farm, Uganda. I am a member of Trinity Church Lewes (UK), where relationships with Amigos Worldwide have led to this opportunity.

A Project Born from Partnership

This project was requested by our East African church partners.

During long-standing rainwater-harvesting and clean-water projects, led by Mr Rob Hoy MBE, communities expressed a strong interest in learning how to make soap safely and effectively.

People were already attempting soap-making without protective equipment and using un-safe ingredients. This training responds directly to that request, strengthening safety, sustainability, and local ownership.

Why This Matters

Across East Africa, many families suffer preventable illness simply because soap is unaffordable or unavailable.

Without basic body and laundry soap:

• Diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, and skin infections spread rapidly

• Girls miss school due to menstrual hygiene challenges

• Clinics are overwhelmed by illnesses that proper hygiene could prevent - (World Health Organisation, March 2024)

Soap is one of the simplest and most effective tools for protecting health and restoring dignity.

Why Kira Farm?

Amigos Worldwide is a Christian charity working across East Africa to equip communities through vocational training, sustainable agriculture, healthcare support, and mission partnerships. Their Kira Farm training centre provides a safe, well-established environment for skills-based learning, discipleship, and community development.

Amigos has long-standing relationships with churches and NGOs across the region, ensuring training leads to lasting impact beyond the event. We will be delivering training to:

• 22 East African delegates

• From 12 church, mission, and NGO organisations

• Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo

All East African participants will receive training and return home as Trainer-of-Trainers, equipped to:

• Teach others

• Start small soap enterprises

• Develop church-based soap banks to support vulnerable households

What Will Training Deliver?

Hands-on training in:

• Cold process soap

• Hot process soap

• Liquid hand soap

• Affordable laundry soap

Using locally available, eco-friendly ingredients.

Each delegate receives:

• Practical, step-by-step instructions

• A full training handbook and online access

• A starter soap kit (equipment and safety gear)

• A certificate of completion

• Ongoing peer support and follow-up where necessary

Health, Wellbeing, and Creation Care

Alongside soap-making, delegates will receive:

• Health education, including awareness and management of diabetes and high blood pressure

• Wellbeing sessions addressing physical health

• Teaching on environmental stewardship

• Visits to eco-projects, including A Rocha Uganda

Who will be Delivering the Training ?

The training will be delivered by a qualified, experienced Christian team from the UK:

• Annette Melville MSc, PG Cert Kingdom Theology, Dip Lib, ALA BSc

Soap Making Business Diploma, (Dist.)

Delivering practical soap making sessions

Founder and Event Facilitator

• David Melville BSc, BA, PGCE, PGC Biodiversity, MRSB

Creation Care & Environmental Support

Supporting best eco-practice

• Dr Ian Hempshall MBBS, MRCGP

Health Trainer

Delivering sessions on diabetes and high blood pressure

• Mary Hempshall BA (Hons)

Health & Wellbeing Educator

Facilitating Health & Wellbeing Discussions

• Sue Clyde SRN, SCM

Health & Wellbeing Educator

Facilitating Health & Wellbeing Discussions

• Rob Hoy MBE, BSc, CEng, MICE, CIWEM

Communications & Project Liaison

• Susan Kasiita, BA (Development Studies), Dip, Ministry and Theology, Pastor, C3 Mbarara

SoapUp Administrative Assistant (Uganda)

This team brings together practical skills, medical expertise, and Christian mission experience.

Who are Receiving the Training ?

Participants are representatives from the following churches and mission organisations:

• Amigos Worldwide: Kira Farm, Uganda

• A Rocha: Uganda

• Byumba Diocese: Rwanda

• Cyangugu Diocese: Rwanda

• Fahy’s Kitchen: Uganda

• Faith Centre Church: Rwanda

• Kapenguria Diocese: Kenya

• Karamoja Anglican Diocese: Uganda

• Life in Abundance: Uganda

• Pearl of Grace Ministries: Uganda

• PAPDR: Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Square Ministries: North East Uganda

What We Have Already Achieved ?

Progress so far £3,850.00 fundraised

Covers full-board accommodation for all 22 East African delegates

Hosted at Kira Farm, run by Amigos Worldwide

The event is paid for, confirmed and scheduled

Why We’re Fundraising for £2,500?

We are fundraising £2,500 to complete the final stage of this project.

Your donation will help cover:

£1,000 Delegate travel (round trips across East Africa)

£1,000 Soap starter kits (equipment and safety gear for each mission)

£500 Minibus transport to and from Kira Farm

Any remaining funds goes towards Soap-making ingredients for training

Every pound goes directly into delivery; there are no administrative costs

Our Vision

“All Hands Deserve Soap.”

Grounded in Christian values of dignity, stewardship, and love in action, this project equips churches to protect health, restore dignity, and build sustainable livelihoods one bar of soap at a time.

How You Can Help?

• Donate whatever you can

• Share this page with your church and networks

• Pray for safe travel and fruitful training

Thank you for standing with us and with our East African partners as we turn soap into hope.