Soap for Hope: How Two Teachers from Boston are Making a Global Impact

Vilma and Nancy (first and second form the right, respectively) posing with Tasha Tower, Move Up Global Project Manager (first from the left) and a Move Up Global supporter (second from the left).

Nancy Bloom, a special education teacher in Boston Public Schools and Vilma Steeves, an academic advisor at Southern New Hampshire University are not only educators, but also social justice activists. They met in Brighton, a neighborhood of Boston, where they were both living, and bonded over their shared passion for promoting Black Lives Matter. They decided to use their skills and resources to make a difference in the world, beyond their classrooms.

Expressing Solidarity for Global Impact

Nancy and Vilma learned about Move Up Global, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve access to better health and education in remote and resource-constrained communities. They were inspired by the founder, Dr. Anatole Manzi, who overcame poverty and hardship in Rwanda to become a global health leader. They wanted to support his vision and join his cause.

They launched the Soap for Hope project, which involves making and selling soap in Boston and sending the proceeds to support teachers in Rwanda. They also taught Rwandan teachers how to make soap themselves, using locally available materials. The soap made by Rwandan teachers is given to children from poor families who cannot afford to buy soap.

The Role of Community to Lift Each Other

The Soap for Hope project has had remarkable results in improving health and education outcomes for children in Rwanda. Preliminary results showed a remarkable decline of the prevalence of intestinal parasites and skin diseases among children attending Move Up Global supported schools. These conditions were mainly caused by poor hygiene and sanitation practices, such as lack of handwashing.

The project also increased school attendance, as children were motivated to come for reading sessions and receive a soap as a reward. The project also empowered Rwandan teachers, who gained new skills. Teachers dream to transform their soap making into a social enterprise. With this effort, they will provide soap to children and families in need and generate income from making soap.

Nancy and Vilma’s Soap for Hope project is one of the best examples of global solidarity and community engagement. Their soap is one of the best quality soap used in Boston areas. They have shown that anyone can make a global impact with compassion and collaboration.

Join us to support the Soap for Hope initiative 

You can join Nancy and Vilma in their Soap for Hope project by buying their soap in person at the Soap For Hope Stand. You can also donate directly to Move Up Global. You can also spread the word about their project and their mission on social media or among your friends and family.

Each year, thousands of children suffer from poor hygiene related diseases. By supporting Move Up Global, you are helping to improve access to better health and education for children and communities in need. You are also expressing solidarity with people who face challenges and opportunities similar to yours, but in different contexts. You are also part of a global movement that believes in the power of community to lift each other up.