By Sitti Rahina binti Ibrahim, Project Manager, Good Shepherd Services, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

When I first joined the Green and Resilient Recovery Local Action Grant project (GRR-UNDP) I didn’t know what to expect. I was excited to work with women in rural areas, but nothing prepared me for how deeply this experience would move and change me.

One of the objectives of this project was to explore and develop green products, something practical, environmentally friendly, and with the potential to generate a small source of income. That is how the idea of creating multipurpose soaps from used cooking oil came to life. But when we first introduced the idea to our project participants in Sook Keningau, Sabah, they were…hesitant, and honestly, I understood why.

The idea of turning what is usually thrown away into something usable felt strange. Still, we kept going. We explained the process and its potential. We provided hands-on training to demonstrate each step. Most importantly, we listened to their concerns, encouraged open discussions, and welcomed suggestions. This helped them feel truly heard and involved. They began experimenting with the recipe, testing textures and scents, and somehow, along the way, the women were amazed at how used cooking oil could be transformed into multipurpose soaps that they could use for washing their dishes and laundry. Before long, these women proudly made their soaps, and now, they are even selling them at their local tamu (market)! Bit by bit, things began to change. Their doubt turned into curiosity, and that curiosity turned into action.

The most beautiful part? The women have taken ownership of it. It is not just about soap anymore. It is about creating a habit of not wasting and repurposing what is traditionally considered waste into something useful. These women are now educating their neighbors and friends, reminding them not to throw away their used oil, and they even collect oil from their communities to continue making the soaps. They have become advocates of waste management, one conversation at a time.

Of course, it is not easy to change how the community thinks in such a short time. The women have told me this themselves. Some days, it feels like no one is listening. They remember how unsure they were at the start. That is precisely what keeps them going – the belief that no matter the pace of progress, change will come in the end. And that courage? That determination? It’s inspiring.

Their resilience reminds me so much of the values of St. Mary Euphrasia. Her belief that “One person is of more value than the whole world” echoes strongly here. These women, often unseen and unheard, are now leading change in their own humble and powerful way. Like St. Mary Euphrasia, they act with patience, compassion, and quiet strength, planting seeds of hope that will continue to grow.

As for me, I have grown too. I did not think much about what I consumed or threw away. But now, I find myself drawn to green products, choosing organic skincare and thinking more about sustainability in my everyday life. What started as a work project has shifted to how I live and think. What a change! This project was never just about soap. It is about dignity, transformation, and courage. And I am honored to have walked alongside these amazing women and to carry their stories with me always.

Let this be a gentle reminder: even used cooking oil can become something beautiful. May we always look for hidden potential in things, in others, and ourselves.

Learn more about the Good Shepherd Mission in Singapore and Malaysia aquí.