Waste products into beautiful fragrances
Maryam developed the idea of using the cut branches, after cleaning and grinding them, to create high-quality, fragrant incense. This plan not only addressed the waste problem but also presented an opportunity to create a unique product. It seemed like a brilliant idea!
But, it wasn’t easy. At first, Maryam tells us she felt sadness and anxiety because in spite of her determination and passion, she just couldn’t find a way to make it work.
‘I always aspired for this project to be my own venture in incense making, but my family and social situation posed significant obstacles,’ she explains. ‘Despite my repeated efforts, the operational costs of the project were enormous, and I felt despair each time I failed to make a new step forward.’
And this was the point where Tearfund and our local partner, the Aid Gate Organization, were able to help.
Green Basra: Empowering Women and Youth for Sustainable Environment and Economy
Basra used to be a region well known for farming, with many palm trees and other fruit trees providing delicious produce, shelter and large, cool shaded areas. But rising temperatures, increased water salinity and desertification have drastically changed the landscape. Climate change and human activities have heavily impacted both the physical environment in Basra and people’s livelihoods. It’s led to conflicts, water scarcity and economic challenges.
In the face of this, Tearfund’s local partner has set up a project called Green Basra to: engage and empower women and young people to seek out solutions to these issues; to foster a generation of environmentally conscious leaders; to promote sustainable practices and circular economy models to boost economic growth; and to improve the community’s resilience to the negative impacts of climate change.
Through this project, Maryam was given the opportunity to submit a proposal for her business to a panel who would consider whether it met their criteria. They recognised that Maryam's innovative idea of using recycled branches in incense making addressed both the waste issue and economic opportunities. So she was offered training and funding support to make her concept a reality. This meant she could buy the materials she needed to set up the production process. She also attended training organised by the organisation, which gave her the skills to launch her project with effective marketing strategies.
Maryam’s positive change
When she received the training and funding, Maryam says she felt a great sense of relief knowing that someone believed in her abilities and supported her. Then, seeing her products displayed in markets and the interest they garnered gave her a sense of accomplishment. She says she also felt proud to be contributing to waste reduction and improving the environment for her community – making a positive change.
During the final conference organised by the organisation as part of the Green Basra project, Maryam showcased a wide range of her products which helped her create networking opportunities with local markets and exhibition platforms. This allowed her to present her products at bazaars and reach a broader audience.
