Mobile Phone Repair Workshop

Group Name: Makuku ya Mbadu (Youth of Reason)

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 

Huíla Province is experiencing a rapid increase in mobile phone usage, as these devices have become essential for communication, business, and accessing digital financial services. However, when these devices break or malfunction, many community members face significant hardships. Buying a new phone is often prohibitively expensive, and reliable, affordable local repair services are scarce, forcing people to travel long distances or abandon their essential devices.

The Makuku ya Mbadu humanist group proposes setting up a community-based cell phone repair workshop to address this pressing need while generating a sustainable income for our collective. The shop will specialize in diagnosing and fixing common mobile phone issues, such as screen replacements, battery swaps, charging port repairs, and software troubleshooting.

By offering affordable and trustworthy technical support, this initiative will extend the lifespan of electronic devices, reducing e-waste in our community. Furthermore, it will provide a steady income stream for the group, create opportunities to train our youth in highly sought-after technical skills, and demonstrate a practical, problem-solving approach aligned with our humanist values.

Budget (Estimated Costs – Materials Only)

● Used/Refurbished Laptop (for software repairs and diagnostics) — $150

● Digital Multimeter — $15

● Variable DC Power Supply — $40

● Soldering Iron Station and Heat Gun Combo — $60

● Precision Screwdriver Set (for mobile devices) — $15

● Digital Microscope / Magnifying Lamp — $35

● PCB Holder and Anti-Static Work Mat — $15

● Tweezers, Pry Tools, and Spudger Set — $10

● Solder Wire, Flux Paste, and Desoldering Braid — $15

● Ultrasonic Cleaner (for water-damaged boards) — $30

● Screen Separator Machine (LCD heating pad) — $45

● Cleaning Supplies (Isopropyl Alcohol, Brushes) — $10

● Initial Stock of Common Replacement Parts (Screens, Batteries, Ports) — $100

● USB Tester and Diagnostic Cables — $25

● Shop Signage and Marketing Materials — $35

Total: $600

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline The repair shop is expected to become operational within 1 month after purchasing the tools and securing a workspace. Once running, the shop is projected to service approximately 3 to 5 devices per day, depending on demand and the complexity of the repairs.

● Estimated Profit per Repair: $3 – $8 (after part costs)

● Daily Revenue: $15 – $30

● Monthly Revenue (approx.): $350 – $600 As the primary operating costs are limited to replacement parts and minimal electricity, the service-based nature of this project ensures high profit margins that will sustain the group.

Estimated Financial Projection

● Initial Investment: $600

● Estimated Monthly Revenue: $350 – $600

● Estimated Break-even Period: 2–3 months After recovering the initial investment, the project is expected to generate consistent income that can be reinvested into expanding our inventory of spare parts, purchasing advanced diagnostic tools, or supporting other group initiatives.

Project Timeline

● Month 1 — Purchase diagnostic tools, laptop, repair equipment, and initial spare parts; organize the workspace.

● Month 2 — Begin offering repair services to the public and launch local advertising.

● Ongoing — Daily repair operations, customer service, inventory management, and technical skills training for group members.

Benefits to the Community

● Provides affordable, reliable, and local cell phone repair services to keep residents connected.

● Reduces electronic waste (e-waste) and promotes environmental sustainability by extending device lifespans.

● Creates a sustainable and scalable income source for the humanist group.

● Equips local youth with valuable, modern technical and entrepreneurial skills.

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

● Supports the local economy by ensuring vendors and residents have functioning communication tools for their daily lives.