Laundry Shop

Group Name: Makuku ya Mbadu (Youth of Reason)

Location: Huíla Province, Angola

Members

Helena Chimbili, Rosa Kavungo, Jéssica Sambeny, Leila Duden, Domingos Vilinga, Elias Nambambi, Mateus Kavimbi, Fernando Tchissola, Armando Kafundanga, Paulo Kandala, Salvador Chikoti, Adriano Chilombo

Email: dudenleila@gmail.com
Phone: +244 997 641 220

What Does Humanism Mean to You?

My name is Lélia Duden, and humanism is the path that helped me understand myself beyond the beliefs I was raised with. I grew up in a religious environment, following traditions that did not always answer my questions about life and meaning. Over time, I came to value reason, compassion, and evidence as guides for understanding the world. Choosing humanism was not a rejection of my culture, but a commitment to honesty and critical thinking. Humanism teaches that people have the responsibility to improve their communities through practical action. It promotes empathy, cooperation, and equal respect for all. As a young Angolan, I am inspired by humanism to create solutions that empower people economically and socially. This project reflects those values by providing a sustainable, community-centered source of income and service.

Project Description

Many families and individuals in Huíla Province face challenges in accessing affordable and convenient laundry services. Washing clothes can require significant amounts of water, electricity, time, and physical effort, particularly for people who are working, studying, or managing families. At the same time, members of Makuku ya Mbadu need sustainable opportunities to generate income and become more economically independent.

The Makuku ya Mbadu humanist group proposes establishing a small community-based laundry shop that will provide affordable and reliable washing, drying, ironing, and basic laundry services to residents in the community. The shop will begin with basic laundry equipment and supplies and will serve individuals, families, workers, students, and other community members who need convenient laundry services.

The project will create a sustainable income-generating activity for the group while providing practical opportunities for members to learn customer service, laundry management, financial management, marketing, and small-business skills. The income generated will support the participating humanist members, contribute to the running and expansion of the business, and strengthen the group's ability to sustain its activities without depending entirely on external funding.

By establishing a community laundry service, the project will demonstrate a practical, problem-solving approach aligned with our humanist values of self-reliance, cooperation, dignity, and improving people's everyday lives.

Budget

● Washing Machine — $220
● Iron and Ironing Board — $45
● Laundry Drying Rack/Lines and Accessories — $35
● Water Containers/Buckets and Laundry Baskets — $30
● Initial Stock of Laundry Detergent, Soap and Fabric Softener — $55
● Clothes Hangers and Packaging Materials — $20
● Cleaning Supplies and Protective Materials — $15
● Shop Signage and Marketing Materials — $30
● Initial Water and Electricity Operating Reserve — $50

Total: $500

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The laundry shop is expected to become operational within 1 month after purchasing the equipment and securing a suitable workspace. Once operational, the shop is expected to serve approximately 5–10 customers per day, depending on demand and the number and type of services requested.

● Estimated Profit per Customer: $2 – $5
● Daily Revenue: $15 – $30
● Monthly Revenue (approx.): $350 – $600

The main operating costs will include water, electricity, detergents, packaging materials, and routine maintenance. The service-based nature of the project is expected to allow the group to maintain a reasonable profit margin while keeping prices affordable for community members.

Estimated Financial Projection

● Initial Investment: $500
● Estimated Monthly Revenue: $350 – $600
● Estimated Monthly Profit: $150 – $300
● Estimated Break-even Period: 2–4 months

After recovering the initial investment, the project is expected to generate consistent income that can be reinvested into purchasing additional laundry equipment, increasing supplies, improving the workspace, and supporting other activities of the humanist group.

Project Timeline

● Month 1 — Purchase washing machine, ironing equipment, laundry supplies, containers, signage, and other essential materials; organize the workspace and prepare for operations.

● Month 2 — Begin offering laundry services to the public and launch local advertising and community outreach.

● Ongoing — Daily laundry operations, customer service, financial management, purchase of supplies, maintenance of equipment, and practical business skills development for group members.

Benefits to the Community

● Provides affordable, reliable, and convenient laundry services to community members.

● Creates a sustainable source of income for participating members of the Makuku ya Mbadu humanist group.

● Provides practical employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for group members, particularly young people.

● Equips members with valuable skills in customer service, business management, financial management, marketing, and service delivery.

● Reduces the time and physical burden associated with laundry for community members.

● Strengthens the economic independence and sustainability of the humanist group.

● Encourages practical, community-based solutions aligned with humanist values of progress, dignity, cooperation, and self-reliance.

● Creates an opportunity for the group to reinvest profits into expanding the laundry business and supporting other community initiatives.

● Supports the local economy through the purchase of water, cleaning products, packaging materials, and other supplies.