One year ago, we were in South Africa teaching women there to make soap.  I received an update and the project is sustaining itself.  The ladies were able to sell enough soap to purchase more ingredients and to pay themselves.  Mission accomplished!  What a great feeling to know the effort and money we put into the project to get it off the ground has achieved the goals we set out to achieve.

Our Mission Trip to Africa 2013

As you may already know, I left the comfort and predictability of my home on Prince Edward Island at the end of October 2013 to travel to a continent and country that I had never been to before. Accompanied by Katie (my daughter) and Josh (our soapmaker), the three of us embarked on a 21 day mission to South Africa to teach soap making skills to vulnerable and underprivileged women. Our goal was twofold. First, to help with establishing an ongoing source of income for these women through their market sales. Second, through the efforts of these women, to provide an ongoing supply of free natural soap to the poor with HIV and AIDS.

The missionary that hosted our small group had told us that tuberculosis, which is prevalent in South Africa, can be reduced 75% by washing. Many of those with HIV and AIDS that I saw had severe skin conditions and it is my hope that the soap that these women are now producing will provide some relief to these inflicted people and help reduce the spread of TB among the sick and poor.

Finally, in addition to our time that we all happily gave, The Great Canadian Soap Co. contributed approximately $10,000 to make this mission possible, including $6,000 for soap making equipment that has been left at this project. None of this would have ever been possible without the tremendous ongoing support of loyal customers like you who choose to purchase our products and refer your friends and family. It was both an honour and a privilege to have an opportunity to make a trip like this and for that, I sincerely thank you.

From all of us at The Great Canadian Soap Co., we would like to wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season!

Em Zember
Owner and Founder of The Great Canadian Soap Co.
Prince Edward Island, Canada

PS For more pictures and to read about our mission to South Africa through the eyes of 15 year old Katie, please Click Here to visit her travel blog.