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AS a Ramadan gesture of goodwill, Lulu Hypermarket Bahrain invited the Bahraini Productive Families to promote their homemade goods for free during the last two weeks of the holy month.
The retail giant linked up with the Ministry of Social Development to provide a venue and counter space for members from the organisation to display and sell their wares to visiting mall customers.
Productive Families is a term used by the ministry to describe low-income families working in cottage industries. Exhibitions of this nature enable low-income families to cover their needs in a sustainable way and develop and market their products to benefit Bahrain’s economy and community.
The Bahraini-style market was organised in Lulu’s branches across the kingdom including Riffa, A’ali and Hidd.
Juzer Rupawala, Lulu Hypermarket Bahrain’s regional director, said: “We are happy that we could support the Bahraini Productive Families and Ministry of Social Development in this endeavour. This was a small gesture of our social commitment towards the society.”
With Eid around the corner, the Ramadan bazaar was ideal for mall-goers looking to purchase gifts for their families and friends. The miniature souqs featured a traditional variety of perfumes, accessories and colourful national dresses.
Sharifa Buzayed, the ministry’s information specialist, said: “When we approached Lulu for this campaign they were very supportive of our cause. The expats doing their shopping said they had never seen products like these before. Our members offer unique items that are made with special love and care.
“Thanks to Lulu and the members it was such a success that there is already talk of restarting the bazaar after Eid.”
Salwa Thani Dawood, a retired employee of the Bahrain Hotels Company from Muharraq, sold her unique blends of perfume and bukhoor.
She said: “The ministry has always supported our work by organising different exhibitions for us. It gave me a chance to showcase my fragrances and bukhoor which I blend with different Arabic scents.
“Lulu was a great place for us to promote our products, especially during Ramadan, because of the steady footfall. This also couldn’t have come at a better time as many people stock up on bukhoor for Eid.”
Dressmaker Noora Ali Burshaid, from Hidd, used the opportunity to help people connect with their heritage. She said: “I design traditional national dresses, such as Nishel thobes, that our mothers used to wear in the olden days.
“I’m thankful for the ministry’s constant support and to Lulu for allowing us to sell our products here. I’ve received a generous amount of customers.”
Salon owner Noora Khalifa, from Galali, also benefited from the initiative. She displayed an assortment of merchandise including accessories such as bags, hair products and clothing.
The Ramadan bazaar also gave carpenter Rashed Abdulrahman Jalal the chance to exhibit his meticulous examples of Bahraini craftsmanship.
Mr Jalal, a retired controller and radar observer who manned the docks of Mina Salman, now spends his time building model dhows, buses, doors, sling-shots and other authentic Bahraini crafts.
He said: “I have always loved working with my hands and creating traditional symbols representing Bahrain from wood. My dhows for example can take me a week to complete depending on the size. I have a range of dhows and buses.
“This is my hobby and it gives me great pleasure to share that with the public. I have been to several exhibitions and appreciate the opportunities provided to me by the ministry. Thanks to Lulu I have received positive feedback and quite a bit of attention on my work.”
