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Creative Bahraini youngster Reema Al Bastaki has jumped on the Think Pink Bahrain’s bandwagon to help raise awareness about breast cancer as well as funds to support the campaign.
The 11-year-old Ibn Khuldoon National School student had reached out to the Think Pink: Bahrain Breast Cancer Society to honour survivors and those battling the disease through her beaded business.
“I wanted to contribute to the community and help out women with breast cancer in every way possible,” said Reema, who resides in Tubli with her parents Zainab Assiri and Adel Al Bastaki and siblings Mariam and Rayyan.
“I know what I do is small today, but I aspire to have bigger contributions in the future and help more.
“Ten per cent of my October sales will be donated to Think Pink Bahrain and some of my customers also wanted to show their support, so they donated some additional amounts which I am collecting for Think Pink Bahrain.”
Beaded necklaces and beading have been around since ancient civilisations and the art is known to help develop social and cognitive skills as it promotes sharing and co-operation.
Reema’s passion for the art started in 2001 after receiving a beaded gift from her mum’s friend.
“I fell in love with it and wanted more,” she told GulfWeekly. “So my mum ordered bead sets so that I could make my own. It was so much fun and I became passionate about it. I started making them for my family and close friends; everyone loved my beads. They complimented my creativity, how I styled them and my unique colour co-ordinations. This encouraged me a lot, and with the help of my mum, we created a logo and came up with the name ‘Beadology’ so that it would stand out.
“By the time I was 10 years old, I created an Instagram account for my business and it started off small. However, with the help of my family, it started to take off within a couple of weeks.”
While Reema mostly designs bracelets and necklaces, she does have rings and anklets made of beads, natural stones and crystals.
For Think Pink Bahrain, she created a collection boasting the Think Pink ribbon in different shades of pink.
“Some are made with beads and some with natural stones like pink opal, and others with crystals,” she added.
“I encourage everyone to take part and support Think Pink Bahrain, let us all help and make a difference!”
The society’s president and chairperson Dr Julie Sprakel is delighted by Reema’s support.
“She is an incredible young entrepreneur who took the initiative herself to contact the charity, fill in the official Letter of Intent, to partner with Think Pink,” said Dr Julie, who founded the home-grown, non-profit organisation in 2004, which is registered with the Social Development Ministry and is run by volunteers.
“Besides her amazing products, she was driven to make a change for a good cause. She embodies the mission and vision of Think Pink. As a team, we are super proud of her and pleased that she has sold out many of her products.”
Over the years, Think Pink Bahrain has raised money towards several areas that would better support the kingdom with regards to breast cancer treatment and awareness in the form of education, equipment and research.
Think Pink Bahrain is aiming to raise BD20,000 this October to fund approved research in Bahrain, using Artificial Intelligence and MRI technology. These efforts will help the society advance their understanding of this disease and help educate the public.
For details, follow
@beadology_by_reema and @thinkpinkbahrain on Instagram.
