Why soap?

Handwashing with soap is one of the most effective ways to protect against the spread of COVID-19 and many of the diseases that threaten the health of mothers and children.

About 1 in 10 children in Mali will not reach age 5 – the 6th highest child mortality rate in the world. But, something as simple as handwashing with soap can prevent two of the deadliest diseases for children – diarrhea and acute respiratory infections.

Soap is also an extremely important part of helping pregnant women prevent infections and maintain good hygiene in peri-urban communities where access to sanitation services and even water, can be very limited.

For mothers and children, soap is simple, effective, and inexpensive – and it saves lives.

Soap is not just a way for mothers to keep their children healthy – it’s now a way they can support their families, too.

We have supported 120 women to form 4 cooperatives across Bamako that are making soap to sell in their communities. They are making a precious resource available locally while earning an income.

Soap is not just a precious commodity for health, it is now also a livelihood.

Read more about about how women in Bamako are forming cooperatives.

Each day, our community health workers teach health-promoting behaviors like handwashing with soap, to the children and families in their care.

Every year, we celebrate Global Handwashing Day in the communities we serve, as a part of our health promotion and community outreach activities.

At the end of savings groups cycles, mothers often use the funds they saved to purchase products like soap to help them prevent illness and maintain good hygiene in their homes.

With health financing in the hands of women, they can use it to not just pay for healthcare, but to prevent illness, too.