INDUSTRY TALK
Recycled soap saves lives After fleeing civil war-torn Uganda in 1979, Dr Derreck Kayongo became a refugee in Kenya. He later immigrated to America to attend university, where he was inspired to start an organisation that has contributed to a remarkable 30 percent reduction in child deaths globally. This is his story.
D
r Kayongo explains how
people affected by natural
contribution to humanitarian aid
his journey from refugee
disasters. Dr Kayongo’s original
and for making a difference in
to CNN hero began: ‘I
vision for the organisation was to
was preparing to take a
also include micro-loans and
shower in my hotel when I discovered
training for soap makers
the many kinds of soap in the
in communities around
room. There was hand soap, face
the world, and this is
soap, body soap and shampoo. I
now underway.
had never seen so much soap for one person.’
The organisation recently joined forces
DID YOU KNOW?
communities in the USA. The city of Atlanta has designated 5 May as Global Soap
Dr Kayongo will be returning Project Day, which to Africa this year to share his occurs annually. inspiring story and recipe for In addition to his work success at the annual SAPICS with Global Soap and Conference in Cape Town, his humanitarian efforts, South Africa, from 10 to 13 June. Visit conference. Dr Kayongo is the CEO sapics.org for more for the National Centre information about for Civil and Human Rights. the event.
He began to wonder what
with Clean the World, to
happened to the partially used
add even more impetus
soap that disappeared from his
to both NPOs’ humanitarian
room each day. ‘I was shocked to
efforts. Jointly, they are now
discover that it was thrown away.’
active in more than 90 countries.
involved in a wide range of human
Motivated by his experiences
‘Through this partnership, even
rights issues.
as a refugee and knowing that
more trash will be diverted
in-crisis communities are often
from landfills, more soap can
TED TALK speakers in Charleston
without basic necessities, including
be recycled and distributed,
(USA) and travels the world
soap, Dr Kayongo decided to
more vulnerable people can be
sharing his knowledge and
create the Global Soap Project – a
reached, and there is an even
life-changing international aid
greater focus on the sustainable
organisation that collects discarded
impact of this lifesaving mission,’
soap bars from hotels, sanitises and
he enthuses. Dr Kayongo’s
reprocesses them, and distributes
visionary soap recycling
the finished products to vulnerable
operation is flying high and
military rule of
populations worldwide. This
making a real difference
dictator Idi Amin.
simple idea is making a significant
in millions of lives. Today,
contribution to the fight against
he sits on the board of
hygiene-related diseases, which are
the soap project, but no
voiceless, since many
the number one killers of children in
longer runs the non-profit
people affected
at-risk communities.
organisation.
‘Lack of proper hygiene claims
Located in Atlanta, the centre is
In 2014, he joined the elite
experiences, which include being Ugandan refugee turned entrepreneur, Dr Derreck Kayongo
forced to watch as his family and neighbours were rounded up, randomly selected and killed by a firing squad under the
‘I am giving a voice to the
by displacement and civil war never
yet I discovered that 800 million bars
MODERN DAY HERO
of soap are thrown away each year.
Among the honours
Kayongo is thrilled to
That is 2.6 million bars of soap every
bestowed on Kayongo
be able to bring his
single day,’ he explains.
is that of CNN hero. In
story back to Africa
2011, he was one of the
through the platform
more than 1.8 million lives every year,
CLEANING UP THE FUTURE
have a chance to be heard,’ he states. Dr
individuals recognised
provided by leading
by the media and
supply chain and
Global Soap has given millions
news platform for
operations management
of bars of soap to refugees and
an extraordinary
association, SAPICS. •
P C Africa | QUARTER 1 2018 |
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