Round Rock boy selling soap to help Hurricane Harvey survivors - Austin American-Statesman

An 8-year-old Round Rock boy is taking his own unique approach in helping Hurricane Harvey survivors.

Ezekiel Ayangbile, a student at Callison Elementary School, raised $180 in donations and delivered 100 homemade soaps last week to displaced families in Houston and Austin.

His home-based business, Ez-Es Dope Soaps, offers soaps in shapes of cupcakes and donuts, mini soaps resembling bundt cakes and “soapsicles.” They come in about 50 aromas, ranging from almond to bubblegum and chardonnay wine to “monkey farts.”

When his mother, Ciera Osagbami, explained to him that shelters and other organizations were requesting toiletries, he decided to make and deliver soap.

“People were suffering through a lot of stuff and I wanted to give them a bunch of stuff so they could be happy again,” said Ayangbile.

Ezekiel’s initial idea of making soap came while the family was shopping at Lush, a store that specializes in homemade cosmetics and health products.

“He said, ‘Mommy, that’s cool. I think I could make that,’” Osagbami said.

After a little online research and watching YouTube videos, Ezekiel discovered he could make the soaps himself.

Ezekiel said the idea to raise funds for Hurricane Harvey survivors came from him worrying over the safety of his father, Duane Brown. A tackle on the Houston Texans, Brown was out of state when flood waters hit Houston. But at the time, Ezekiel was not aware of his father’s safety.

Ezekiel said hearing heartbreaking stories of those impacted by the historic rains kept him committed to his goal. His maternal grandmother made the first donation, but the young entrepreneur knew he needed more help from his customer base.

“He’s a tender-hearted kid,” Osagbami said. “He wanted to help and that’s the only thing he knew to do.”

The proud mother attributed Ezekiel’s humanitarian spirit to family values, explaining that he grew up in a Christian family who believes in helping its neighbors regardless of religion, race or creed. She said her husband, Ayo Osagbami, has helped build her son’s confidence in business.

“He encourages him a lot and uses his soaps, often telling him: ‘Ezekiel, I ran out of soap. Please make sure you make some more,” she said.

In addition to running his own side business and going to school, Ezekiel plays for the Central Texas Town and Country football team. Before moving to Round Rock, he played basketball and ran track for the Pflugerville Hawks.

He is making plans to do a similar fundraising event for people impacted by Hurricane Irma. “I think people should give more donations to the victims of Hurricane Harvey and soon-to-be Hurricane Irma,” he said.

Osagbami said she hopes there isn’t a need for another fundraiser, but acknowledges Irma could cause even more devastation than Harvey.

“Beyond what’s going on, what really matters is caring for one another and knowing it’s not just about us,” she said.

Learn more about 8-year-old Ezekiel Ayangbile’s Ez-Es Dope Soaps business at fb.com/EzEsDopeSoaps.

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