Bankim oil mills constitute huge piles of waste. Kennel seeds are abandoned by the villagers after extracting the juicy palm oil for money and household consumption. Mill owners have difficulties clearing this waste from their vicinity. Transformational Community Development (TCD) lessons focused on availing the local utility of this “waste.” Kernel seed oil, when extracted locally, is a primary source of detergent and soap, a vital hygiene and sanitation product and major household need. I was so happy to see the collaboration efforts of the Wellness and Income Generating Committees come to fruition. This special training session brought together 15 families to enhance their knowledge in the production of detergent for local consumption and future marketing to surrounding communities.

Lovet, the facilitator, demonstrated with simplicity this production technique. The following constitute local materials to produce 5 kg of detergent at home: 2L local kennel oil, 2L of water (as available from home), ½kg of caustic soda, 100mL of fuming agent, color and perfume (that constitute a minor percentage of the industrial material cost).