Workshop shares soapmaking, income tips with elderly in Tapah

Adibatul says handmade soaps can be an income source. — Bernama

TEN senior citizens aged 60 to 71 gained new skills in soapmaking using recycled materials at a workshop organised by Pusat Aspirasi Anak Perak (Pasak), a human resources development centre.

The workshop, held in collaboration with Universiti Teknologi Mara’s (UiTM) Faculty of Applied Sciences, took place over five days at the UiTM Tapah Campus.

Project director Adibatul Husna Fadzil said the workshop aimed to teach soapmaking in a scientific and safe manner.

On the business side, there are tips on product marketing and calculating material costs and profits.The senior applied sciences lecturer said the elderly often lacked activities post-retirement and the workshop could teach them something new as well as possibly generate income.

“This is the first time such a programme has been conducted, with Pasak providing a RM12,000 grant to the faculty and giving each workshop attendee a RM200 allowance.

“The participants were taught to make several types of liquid dishwashing and laundry detergents from recycled materials such as used oil, expired powdered milk, coffee grounds and oat powder.

“Pasak will monitor the participants to see whether they sell the soap they produce or use knowledge gained from this workshop,” she told Bernama.

Civil service pensioner Rafidah Mohd Idris, 66, said she had been making soap from recycled materials for the past two years but joined the workshop to gain more knowledge.

“I’ve learned so many things, such as how ingredients for bath and cleaning soaps differ even though the basic process is the same,” she said.

Retired teacher Mohd Daud Arsad, 66, found the workshop suitable for retirees, saying, “The modules taught are detailed, showing how to make soap from recycled materials found at home.”