Solo parents acquire knowledge on soap making through DOST Region I’s Women’s Month Livelihood Training
In celebration of the 2023 Women's Month with the theme of "We for Gender Equality and Inclusive Society," the Department of Science and Technology Region 1 (DOST-I) through the Provincial Science and Technology Office-Ilocos Norte (PSTO-IN) conducted a livelihood training on soap making for solo/single parents in the City of Batac on March 21, 2023, held at the Senior Citizens' Building, City of Batac.
In accordance with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 1, "Eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere," and SDG No. 5, "Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls," DOST-I, in partnership with the City Social Welfare and Development Office of Batac, provided opportunities for the solo parents from the City of
Batac to acquire livelihood skills and apply them in practical ways that are responsive to their individual and community needs. The training aimed to increase employment, fight inequality and poverty, and impart knowledge, upgrade abilities, and procedures for making soap.
Agnes Asuncion of Agnes Farm served as the resource speaker for the training. She acknowledged that she was a single parent and understood how challenging it was to provide for her family. Thus, equipped with her knowledge and skills, she taught the Batac single parents how to make bath soap and liquid washing solutions. Asuncion hopes the participants will use their skills to earn additional income and help extend assistance to more single or solo parents who are struggling financially.
The program was attended by 27 chosen solo parents from each barangay. The speaker discussed the procedures and directions in making soap. They were then divided into three groups for the practical task. After learning the techniques and putting them into practice, the participants immediately generated their liquid detergents and bath soap.
To conclude the training, Maritess Pascua and the participants expressed gratitude to the trainer and DOST-I for allowing them to acquire technological and livelihood skills. (By Sheeren Joy N. Engada, DOST-I)
