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CREATIVE schoolboy Floris van Manen is making a canny profit by crafting recyclable drinks cans into decorative designs.
Armed with just a pair of scissors and an aluminium can, the talented Dutch teenager, who lives in Jasra, creates intricate inventions in as little as five minutes that can be used as candle holders, ash trays or sweet containers.
Floris, 16, developed a keen eye for arts and crafts at a young age and decided to put his skills to practical use while undertaking his art A-Level studies at the British School of Bahrain as part of its ‘junior enterprise’ scheme.
Pointing to an expansive wreath made out of salvaged plastic bags, he said: “I started a small business last year by making simple things out of recyclable materials. I called it ‘DIY Deco’ and it was fairly successful.”
The seeds of a profitable project were planted, with Floris now taking his business independently along with friend and fellow classmate Dania Haris, 16, another avid designer.
Care of the environment is at the forefront of Floris’s project. He explained: “Coming from The Netherlands, they take recycling very seriously, whereas in Bahrain it appears to be much less so. People throw things away all the time, but we don’t like to do that so we save up our cans in large bags and I make them into useful objects.”
Furthermore, Floris had pledged to donate 15 per cent of all profits he earns to two global charities entitled Charity: Water and Winddrinker, which both have the aim of providing clean drinking water and distributing it to those in need.
He explained: “I find water intriguing as it is such an essential part of living, used in the home and by businesses, that I feel everyone should have access to clean supplies.”
Despite his early entrepreneurial prowess, Floris sees his designs as nothing more than a hobby and wishes to pursue a career in architecture by attending a specialist college in the future.
Floris’s dad EJ, 47, is a business developer, and mum Ellen, 49, is a member of BSB’s senior school parent council. His brother Pim, 13, is also interested in arts and crafts.
Mrs van Manen said: “From a very young age, Floris has been doing arty stuff, and saw the junior enterprise scheme as a platform to show off his skills. It is really nice that he focuses on recycling.”
She is helping to organise the 5th International Family Fair at the school to be held on November 21. It will feature stalls represented by a wide variety of countries under the umbrella theme of ‘The Arts’. Of course, Floris and his DIY Deco will be on display.
