Sucess Story

From Struggle to Success: How Soap-Making Transformed Madam Saraha Cheapo’s Life a Liberian in Sweaken, River Gee County

In the peaceful and calm town of Sweaken, River Gee County, Liberia, daily life was once a struggle for many families. Now, the scent of fresh success fills the air, thanks to a simple craft: soap-making.

At the heart of this change is Madam Sarah Cheapo, the kind Chairlady of Sweaken. Her hands now shape bars of washing soap, fragrant bathing soap, and liquid detergent products that have turned her home into a busy business hub.

A Dream Washed in Opportunity

Before the Universal Farmers Association (UFA) brought soap-making training to Sweaken, Madam Sarah Cheapo and the other women relied on subsistence farming and selling goods, barely making enough to support their families.

"We would buy soap from Monrovia at a very high price," says Madam Sarah, stirring a large pot of soap mixture over an open fire. "At times, we couldn't even afford it. Our children went to school in poorly washed clothes, and disease spread quickly."

Then UFA offered a solution—a hands-on training program that taught women how to produce quality soap using locally available materials like palm oil, caustic soda, and natural fragrances.

The Soap Revolution

Madam Sarah Cheapo was among the first to master the training and perfect it. She tirelessly practiced the soap-making craft, experimenting with different formulas until she achieved the best results.

“At first, I was terrified—what if it wouldn't work?” she laughs, showing off a smooth, yellow bar of her bath-scented soap. “But when my first batch turned out just right, I knew my life had changed forever.”

Word spread quickly. Neighbors flocked to her door, eager to buy her affordable, long-lasting soap. Soon, local retailers and markets in nearby towns were reaching out to her.

A Ripple Effect of Prosperity

Madam Sarah's success didn't stop with her. She started training other women in Sweaken and built a network of soap producers.

"Now, we don’t just buy soap—we make it, sell it, and even sell it to other counties!" she says proudly. Her income tripled, allowing her to send her children to better schools, improve her home, and even intend to start a small soap cooperative in the future.

The impact is visible everywhere—children bathe with clean-smelling soap; clothes are washed with care, reducing the risk of skin infections; and women stand tall, their financial independence a source of pride they never thought possible.

Thank You, UFA: A Life Full of Bubbles

With tears of joy in her eyes, Madam Sarah Cheapo holds up a bottle of her liquid detergent, the sun shining off its surface in the late afternoon.

"UFA didn’t just teach us soap-making, they gave us a future," she says. "Now, when I see my soap for sale, I don’t just see a product. I see hope."

As the scent of lavender and palm oil wafts through Sweaken, one thing is clear: this town is no longer just surviving, it’s thriving, bar by bar of soap.