Bakery to Sustain the Maikunkele Safe House

Group: Maikunkele Safe House (Nigeria)

Members: Oluwarotimi Esther, Rahmat Gaffar, Maman Narayan Wushishi, Umuratu Sodiq, Balikis Wasiu, Sherifat Kabir, Danladi Lubaba

Email: saheeds731@gmail.com

Phone: 08045382667

What does humanism mean to your group?

I (Saliu Olumide Saheed) became a humanist when I was 20 years old. As a former ex-Muslim and an Islamic- trained preacher, I discovered that Islam has many elements of irrational ideas and

thoughts that are based on supposed revelations that promote hatred, classism, war, demonization of freethought, and free inquiry. I then renounce the religion, its God Allah,

and Its teachings. As an independent researcher, I discovered humanism through books. Humanism more than any religious orientation or philosophy has made my life more accessible and beautiful.

Project Description

The Maikunkele Humanist Safe House is dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing environment for its inhabitants, many of whom come from vulnerable and marginalized backgrounds. The Safe House serves as a sanctuary, offering shelter, food, education, and emotional support to those in need. However, like many community-based organizations, the Safe House faces ongoing challenges in ensuring consistent funding and resources to maintain its operations and services. To ensure the long-term sustainability of our mission and to reduce reliance on external donors, we propose the establishment of a local bakery that will produce fresh, high-quality bread for sale to the local community.

The bakery will not only serve as a source of nutritious food for the community but also act as a social enterprise, generating steady revenue that will directly support the daily operations of the Maikunkele Safe House. By providing a valuable service to the public while simultaneously creating a sustainable income stream, this project will help the Safe House become financially self-sufficient, thereby reducing the financial pressures that often come with relying solely on donations and grants. The proposed bakery is not just a source of income for the Maikunkele Safe House; it is a critical step toward ensuring the long-term sustainability of our work. It will provide a reliable source of income, empower residents through skill-building, serve the local community, and contribute to the economic development of the region. With a modest initial investment of $1200, the bakery has the potential to generate significant profits that will be reinvested into the Safe House, allowing us to continue our mission of providing shelter, safety, and support to vulnerable individuals.

Budget

Commercial Oven – $400

Dough Mixer – $150

Baking Trays, Pans, and Racks – $150

Mixing Bowls, Spoons, and Spatulas – $75

Initial Stock of Ingredients (flour, yeast, salt, sugar) – $100

Packaging Supplies (bags, labels) – $75

Signage, sealer and Branding Materials – $100

 (cleaning products, gloves, etc.) – $100

Butter and milk - $50

Total $1200

Expected Income from Project, with Timeline

The bakery is expected to generate steady income by producing and selling bread to the local community. Based on the assumption of producing 100 loaves of bread per day, each loaf will be sold at $ 1

Daily Revenue: 100 loaves/day * $1/loaf = $100/day

Monthly Revenue: $100/day * 30 days = $3000/month

Monthly Expenses are estimated to be around $1250, which includes rent, utilities, labor, ingredient costs, and marketing. After accounting for these expenses, the expected monthly profit will be:

Monthly Profit: $3000 (Revenue) - $1250 (Expenses) = $1750/month

The profit from the bakery will be reinvested into the Maikunkele Safe House to help sustain its operations, covering costs like food, utilities, and providing ongoing support for the inhabitants.

Project Timeline:

The project timeline is divided into different phases to ensure smooth setup and operations.

Phase 1: Initial Setup (Week 1-2)

During the first two weeks, we will focus on purchasing and setting up the bakery equipment, including the oven, dough mixer, baking trays, and initial supplies. We will also secure a location for the bakery, set up utilities, and ensure the space is ready for operations.

Phase 2: Staff Training and Recipe Testing (Week 3)

This phase will involve training the staff, including those from the Safe House who will work in the bakery. We will finalize the bread recipes, test them for quality, and ensure the staff is well-prepared to handle production and customer service.

Phase 3: Marketing and Branding (Week 3-4)

In parallel with training, we will create marketing materials such as flyers, posters, and online campaigns to promote the bakery. This will help generate interest and attract customers before the bakery opens its doors.

Phase 4: Bakery Launch (End of Week 4)

By the end of the fourth week, the bakery will officially open. We will start baking and selling bread to the local community. Initial marketing efforts will continue, and we will offer promotional discounts to attract customers in the early days.

Phase 5: Review and Adjustments (Month 2-3)

After one or two months of operation, we will assess the bakery's performance. We will review sales, customer feedback, and operational efficiency. If necessary, adjustments will be made in terms of product offerings, pricing, or marketing strategies to improve profitability and operations.

Phase 6: Continued Operation and Profit Reinvestment (Ongoing)

The bakery will continue to operate, generating income that will be reinvested into the Maikunkele Safe House. The focus will remain on maintaining quality, ensuring steady sales, and optimizing the business for long-term sustainability.

Benefits to Community

The establishment of the bakery will bring several important benefits to the local community:

Affordable Access to Fresh Bread: The bakery will provide the local community with fresh, high-quality bread at an affordable price. This addresses a basic need for nutritious food in the area.

Job Creation: The bakery will create job opportunities for local residents, providing employment for bakers, delivery personnel, and other staff. This helps reduce unemployment and improves the financial stability of families in the area.

Support for Local Economy: The bakery will purchase ingredients and supplies from local suppliers, which will stimulate the local economy by supporting other small businesses.

Skill Development: The bakery will offer training opportunities for residents, especially those involved with the Maikunkele Safe House, teaching them valuable baking, business, and customer service skills that can lead to long-term career opportunities.

Community Engagement: The bakery will become a community hub, fostering stronger relationships between the Safe House and local residents. This will help build trust, improve community cohesion, and raise awareness about the Safe House’s mission.

Support for Vulnerable Groups: By providing a steady income to the Maikunkele Safe House, the bakery will ensure that the organization can continue to provide shelter, food, education, and emotional support to vulnerable individuals, further benefiting the community by helping those in need.

Cultural Contribution: The bakery, by offering fresh bread and baked goods, will contribute to the cultural fabric of the community by providing a popular and accessible food product that brings people together.

Sustainability and Self-Reliance: The bakery will help the Safe House become financially self-sufficient, reducing its dependence on external donations and grants, which makes the community project more sustainable in the long term.