Sitrakiniaina Bertinah Fazila, known as Fazila, is 22 and lives with her parents in the small village of Amboanjo, about 30 km from the district of Manakara on Madagascar’s east coast. Like many young people in her village, she faces limited opportunities and little hope for employment.
Fazila earns a small income by selling snacks, but the profits are very low.
When the FIOVANA project arrived in Fazila’s village, it marked the beginning of a new chapter for her. She joined two groups created by the project: the Youth Platform and a Savings and Loans Association (SLA). These groups were designed to help community members, especially young people, find new ways to earn income and build financial independence.
In July 2022, FIOVANA organized training sessions on income-generating activities for young SLA members, including soap making. Fazila was recognized as one of the most active participants in her group and was selected to attend. Over five days, she learned different techniques and tools for making soap. To support her, the project provided a scale and a hand mixer.
When she returned home, Fazila was eager to begin. “I decided to save the food allowance I received during the training to buy raw materials,” she said. “I started making soap just three days later. I was so excited because my first attempt was successful. I even gave the first soap I made to my neighbors.”
Today, Fazila already has three regular clients: her mother and two shopkeepers at the village market. Each week, the shopkeepers order up to one carton—36 bars of soap—for about $8.
“One day, I want to open a large workshop called Fazila Soapery,” she said. “My products will have nice packaging, and I will use professional equipment.”
Her soap is well liked by her customers. “It is good quality,” one client shared. “It lathers well, lasts a long time, and can be used for bathing, washing the face, and doing laundry. One bar is enough to wash a whole bucket of clothes. It is also more affordable than other soaps, which are often lower quality.”
Through her soap business, Fazila is already seeing changes in her life. “With the profit, I was able to buy a smartphone and three chickens to start another small activity,” she said. “Fiovana means ‘change’ in Malagasy, and it truly is bringing change to my life.”
For Fazila, this business is not only a source of income but also a source of pride and personal fulfillment. “I am proud of what I have built,” she said. “Many young people like me dream of having this kind of opportunity.”