Donovan, The 13-Year-Old Soap Maker

    • rohit.david@timesgroup.com
    • Publish Date: Sep 18 2016 4:13PM
    • |
    • Updated Date: Sep 19 2016 11:11AM
Donovan, The 13-Year-Old Soap Maker

Donovan Smith makes soaps for charity. He also has an online store for those who would like to place orders. This youngster also helps children in distress…


Q Can you tell me about your background?
Well, I am 13 years old. I lived in a shelter for the homeless in New Mexico when my mother, a single parent, lost her job and our apartment. For six months, Henderson House in Albuquerque, N.M. was my home.

Q How did the soap business begin?
My mother taught me how to make soaps as it was a good way of learning maths and science. People liked what I made and wanted to buy them. That's how it started. I started giving soaps to the needy as I know how difficult it can be to shower without one. People all over the US ask me for soap donations even now.


Q What kind of soaps do you make and how do you sell them?
I have an online store which sells artisanal bath soaps made of aloe vera and goat's milk. I make the soaps myself. This year I donated 10,000-odd soaps to the homeless. An organisation I know provides shower cubicles for them.

Q You have also emerged as an advocate for child abuse victims. What made you take up this cause? 
One of my older siblings has mental health issues and has made dangerous choices. That affected me a lot. But I made the video primarily because I deeply disturbed by news of crimes against children.  I helped kids to speak up. My rationale was simple: They would relate to me better than they would to an adult.
 
 

Q You have been feted by President Barack Obama. Can you tell us about that?
I received a letter each from the president and the first lady congratulating me for my hard work. I have received three awards this year - The Good Deed Award from American Legion Auxilliary… The Good Samaritan Award from my mayor and the Community Choice Youth Award from McDonald's. They were all for my philanthropic activities.


Q Any reason for calling your company Toil and Trouble?
I wanted a unique name for my business. Toil and Trouble comes from Macbeth when the witches are stirring a spell over their cauldron. When I am making soap I too stir ingredients together to make something magical.


Q What's next for you?
I want to travel to Asia for a couple of months. My mum has to agree though. Making over 10,000 soaps in 8 months was a lot of work and I need to take a break. After that I have plans to…
1. Make a series of children's books 
2. Create a digital magazine for creative kids
3. Start a non-profit organization to teach non-white boys/men how to make soap, bath products and start their own business. They are the people who have the hardest time getting a job. 
 

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Comments

Romana Shaikh Vidya Prabodhini English School

Great i appriciate your dedication doing well carry on

Amish Agarwal Goldcrest High Vashi

His future plans look so captivating. He is I deed a child prodigy. Afterall hard work paves the way for success, and nobody can deny this .

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