Stories
June 5, 2025 • 2 min read
Nyachiang Biel, a mother of two from Akobo County, transformed her life through GOAL’s THRIVE project, funded by UKAID. After learning soapmaking skills, she launched a thriving business that now supports her family’s education and future.
In Mission Boma village, Akobo County, resilience is more than a concept; it’s the foundation of survival and success. For Nyachiang Biel, a 34-year-old mother of two and dedicated wife, resilience has translated into economic empowerment, thanks to the THRIVE project, funded by UKAID.
As a member of the “Goa Ni Mal” Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA), Nyachiang received training in soap-making through the project, a skill that ignited her entrepreneurial spirit. What began as a simple livelihood opportunity soon became a pathway to financial independence.
Turning Knowledge into Opportunity
After mastering the production of liquid soap, bar soap, and hand-shampoo through THRIVE, Nyachiang wasted no time putting her skills to work. When personnel from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) sought assistance with chemical mixing at their compound, she confidently stepped forward, an opportunity she would have never imagined before.
“I had never worked with chemicals before, but the THRIVE training gave me the courage to try,” Nyachiang recalls. “That first contract with UNMISS provided the capital I needed to launch my own business.”
With an initial investment of 150,000 South Sudanese Pounds ($1,151.54 USD), Nyachiang’s liquid soap business has already yielded a net profit of 170,000 South Sudanese pounds ($1,305.08 USD). This income is more than just a number; it supports her husband’s university education in Ethiopia and her two daughters’ schooling in Uganda, ensuring a brighter future for her entire family.
Overcoming Challenges with Determination
Nyachiang’s journey has not been without obstacles. High transportation costs for chemicals, up to 12,000 SSP per kilogram. Packaging expenses, 1,000 SSP per bottle, and occasional social stigma when selling door-to-door test her resolve. Yet, she remains undeterred.
“Sometimes people insult me when I go out to sell door to door,” she admits. “But I remind myself why I do this. It is for my family and a better future.”
Despite these hurdles, Nyachiang is determined to expand her enterprise. She plans to improve product quality, introduce new items like Dettol and Shampoo, and reduce costs through bulk purchasing and local sourcing.
“I am deeply grateful to GOAL and its supporters for bringing THRIVE to our community,” she says. “At a time when many of us had lost hope due to conflict and hardship, this project restored our belief in a better tomorrow. Now, I have a business, I can support my family, and I dare to dream bigger.” Nyachiang concluded.
