Candle of hope

A CHARITY campaign with a ‘green touch’ that    shines a light on helping little orphans is back after a forced break imposed by the pandemic.

The unregistered, non-profit Candle of Hope initiative encourages people to make their own candles for the festive season and everyone is welcome to join in the exercise on Saturday at Enma Mall in Riffa.

The event takes place from 5pm to 9pm and is open to all ages over seven and all funds raised will go towards helping organisations supporting orphans in the country.

The environmental purpose of the drive is to recycle waste and unwanted candles, said Bahraini candle artist Seema Haqiqi, who is spearheading the campaign. “We aim to spread awareness and promote the idea of candle recycling to help protect the environment from harmful waste as most of commercial candle wax is non-biodegradable,” Seema told GulfWeekly. 

“Candle wax can harm the soil and the air. In the heat of summer, for example, it can reach a flash point where it will turn into flames and burn everything around it and if thrown in the sea it can cause the same sort of damage as plastic.”

Seema, a candle artist of nine years standing, said that she started her ‘challenging journey’ when Bahraini environmental activist Nasra Bu Ashwan asked if she could accept unused candles for her art work.

“I see many people throwing away their unwanted or leftover candles, or not knowing what to do with them,” she explained. “I always wanted to tell people that they could be recycled and reused, but didn’t know how to go about it

“Then Nasra asked me if she could give me some unwanted candles to recycle and the idea of doing something good for society was born. I suggested that we collect more, recycle them and donate all the money raised to charity – she loved the idea and we decided to put a candle collection and recycling plan into action.”

The initiative which started in 2018, run by a team of volunteers, have collected more than 18,000 waste and unwanted candles from individuals, companies, churches, matams and schools, weighing more than a staggering 1.5 tonnes.

At the event, people can make their own candles and keep their creations by paying a nominal fee ranging from BD1 to BD3, depending on the size they choose. Participants can also attend a celebrity talk on environmental risks from candles, as well as walk away with prizes by taking part in a quiz. As activities resume, readymade candles can also be snapped up for as little as 500fils.

 “We will be selling recycled candles at the event and there will also be a live ‘Make Your Own Candle’ activity where children and adults can make their own from the collected and cleaned waste and piles of unwanted candles,” said Seema.

“Alongside the candle-making activities we will be running informal awareness sessions about the dangers of candle waste and the goals and duties of the Candle of Hope initiative.

“A quiz will also be held on these topics, where participants can win around 150 prizes that have been donated by a number of outlets at Enma Mall.”

Bahraini celebrities including actors / television presenters Mohammed Yaseen (Baba Yaseen) and Haifa Hussain, artist Abbas Al Mousawi and impersonator Kaz Kazerooni will be speaking at the sessions.

Seema noted that pre-pandemic, the team managed to make and sell hundreds of candles at nominal prices and funds were donated to three local charities - Child Wish, Iskan Aali and Isa Town Community. 

The event, they say, ties in nicely with Bahrain’s 50th National Day celebrations, and will be held in collaboration with volunteer group

@team_bahrain_unit_us led by Nasser Zaiman.

For more information follow

@candle.of.hope.bh on Instagram or call 3371 2100.