Ice Block Factory

Buchanan Humanist Group

Buchanan, Liberia

Members: Johnson F , James Kpakala M, Sando Kollie M, Yassah Doe F, Emmanuel Bartee M, Varney Togba M, Satta Morris F, Tamba Kromah M, Joseph Wleh M, Amos Mulbah M, Marcus Zogar M 

Dwede James F — +231 77 935 7740 dwedejames@gmail.com

What Humanism Means to Us

Growing up in Liberia, religion plays a central role in shaping identity, community life, and moral expectations. Choosing a different worldview in such an environment can sometimes feel isolating, but it also encourages deeper reflection about the values that guide our actions.

Humanism, to us, means building our lives around reason, compassion, and responsibility toward others. Although we do not believe in God or supernatural forces, we strongly believe in the power of human cooperation and practical solutions to improve people’s lives.

Our humanist perspective emphasizes dignity, equality, and the importance of addressing social and economic challenges through human creativity and shared effort. We believe that by working together and focusing on real-world solutions, communities can create meaningful change.

For the Buchanan Humanist Group, humanism represents a commitment to self-reliance, community development, and improving lives through practical initiatives that benefit both our members and the wider society.

Project Description

This project proposes the establishment of a small solar-powered ice block production business operated by the Buchanan Humanist Group in Buchanan, Liberia.

Access to affordable and reliable ice is an important need in Buchanan, especially for market women, fish sellers, drink vendors, event organizers, and households. Due to inconsistent electricity supply and the high operating costs of fuel-powered generators, many small businesses and residents struggle to access ice regularly for food preservation and cooling beverages.

The Ice Block Production Project will use solar energy to power a freezer system dedicated to producing ice blocks for daily sale to community members and small businesses. The system will include solar panels, battery storage, a charge controller, inverter, freezer, and basic electrical installation materials. This will allow the project to operate independently of unreliable grid electricity while minimizing recurring operating costs.

The ice production station will be operated by members of the Buchanan Humanist Group, who will manage production, customer service, sales, and equipment maintenance. Ice blocks will be sold at affordable prices, generating daily income for the group while providing a practical and needed service to the wider community.

This project will be supported by funding from HuMAN, which will help cover the cost of purchasing the solar equipment, freezer, and other essential materials needed for setup. With this support, the Buchanan Humanist Group will be able to establish a sustainable small business that generates regular income and strengthens the group’s financial independence.

The project will also allow members to gain practical experience in entrepreneurship, record keeping, equipment maintenance, and business management while promoting renewable energy solutions within the local community.

Ultimately, the Ice Block Production Project will help the Buchanan Humanist Group move toward long-term sustainability while demonstrating humanist values of innovation, cooperation, and practical community development.

Project Budget

• 200W Solar Panels (2 units) – $130

• Solar Charge Controller – $35

• Deep-Cycle Batteries (12V) – $140

• Power Inverter – $70

• Chest Freezer / Ice Production Freezer – $130

• Electrical Wiring & Connectors – $25

• Ice Molds / Containers – $20

Total Budget: $550

Expected Income and Timeline

The Ice Block Production Project is expected to begin operations within one month after the purchase and installation of equipment. During the first week, the group will procure all required materials, including solar equipment and freezer components. The second week will focus on installation of the solar system and freezer setup, while the third week will be used for testing the equipment and initial ice production. By the fourth week, the project will officially begin commercial sales.

Customers will be able to purchase ice blocks daily for cooling drinks, preserving fish and meat, and household use.

Estimated income projections:

• Average price per ice block: $0.50 – $1.00

• Estimated sales per day: 10–15 ice blocks

This could generate an estimated $5 – $10 per day, which equals approximately:

$150 – $300 per month depending on customer demand and seasonal factors.

As awareness of the service grows and more vendors become regular customers, sales are expected to increase steadily.

Benefits to the Community

The Ice Block Production Project will provide several benefits to the Buchanan community:

• Provides reliable access to affordable ice blocks in an area with unstable electricity

• Supports local fish sellers, drink vendors, and food businesses

• Creates income opportunities for members of the humanist group

• Encourages small-scale entrepreneurship

• Promotes the use of clean and renewable solar energy

• Strengthens community access to practical cooling and preservation services

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