Canabelle Soap is Growing

A short Video from my Director Sharmon Jules talking about Canabelle Soap Co-op.



Canabelle continues to grow exceeding all my expectations.


Video of the ladies assembling the boxes.


My Peace Corps Island Director Sharmon Jules came for a site visit today. She seemed truly impressed at the work we have accomplished with Canabelle Soap.


The Co-op is fully producing soap and is actually building up an inventory, a first for the Co-op.


Here is a shot showing them using natural herbs collected from the Canaries rain forest to produce the soap.

The raw herbs:


Deterville working away in the office:


A small display for visitors:


They have been taking my suggestion with packaging and production improving the presentation and variety. Here is a sample of a new double pack that is truly lovely, we are continuing to work on a smaller soap for the hotels a key step in the development plan we have written.


Here is a picture of a new soap mold that should improve the size and shape of the soaps making them more consistent.


Thursday is an exciting day with one of Conde' Nast Top Caribbean Hotels Ladera. They are coming for a site visit to Canabelle. I was able to speak to the owner of Ladera Mr. Hooper and he was interested in funding a few projects in Canaries. (thanks Aunt Tina) A community funding committee is coming down to see the operation first hand, they will be considering funding for us to help with infrastructure purchases and training.

We also hope that they can become our first major hotel customer, if we can supply soap for Ladera's guests we will be providing full time employment for 6 people and part time employment for four other women.

They will also hopefully be providing some funding to Creole Pot so we can purchase tables and chairs. We are also seeking help from Cable and Wireless the local phone and internet company, were asking them to sponsor our internet and phone line costs for one year.

If all these things fall into place Canabelle will be set to become a major employment generating area for a village that suffers the highest unemployment rate in Saint Lucia.